The lake's water level is historically low - the highest level ever achieved being revealed by a 113-feet broad, white stripe on the rocky sides of the lake.

 

The Lady Grace takes us into the gradually narrowing confines of Antelope Canyon (above and left) with its steep walls towering above the boat.

 

Our cruise also takes us into Navajo Canyon to view the Tapestry Wall (right).

 

We also get a distant view of Tower Butte. With an elevation of 5,287-feet, it towers almost 1,000-feet above the surrounding terrain.

 

On returning to Wahweap Marina, we confirm our internet booking for tomorrow's cruise, visit an open houseboat (on land), and get our National Park passport stamped. We then drive to the Glen Canyon Dam's Visitor Centre to view a film, but we are too late for a tour. After exploring the area of the dam, we drive back to Page and eat at the suitably-themed Ken's Old West Restaurant near our hotel.

Tower Butte

The bridge at Glen Canyon Dam is one of the highest in the United States.

700-feet above the Colorado River, it was the highest arch bridge

in the world when completed in 1959.

 

Today's cruise of Lake Powell is aboard Desert Reflections, and commences from the Wahweap Marina at 8am. Accordingly, we are up at 5:45am and, despite problems with the lock  to our bathroom and a Japanese tour party causing chaos in the breakfast area, we get to the dock in ample time for a trip that will take about 7-hours.

After nearly three hours of cruising (which takes us back into Utah) we reach Bridge Canyon.

Desert Reflections is steered slowly into the narrow confines of Bridge Canyon. When Lake Powell is full, it is possible for boats to approach quite close to the massive structure of Rainbow Bridge, but with current water levels we moor at a dock and then walk approximately 1½-miles to one of the largest natural bridges in the world.

 

Gradually, Rainbow Bridge comes into view: it is immense. From its base to the top of the arch, it is 290-feet (nearly the height of the Statue of Liberty) and spans 275-feet; the top of the arch is 42-feet thick and 33-feet wide.

 

We stay for some time, just admiring this magnificent natural structure, then walk back to the boat where lunch boxes are handed out.