The Chains
Arizona · United States
Hike should exercise extreme caution by the water because it is very deep at this location. To find the trailhead, take the first right on the gravel road after Ridge Way heading towards Glen Canyon Dam before the Glen Canyon Bridge. Take a left at the end past Hanging Gardens trailhead and keep going to the parking area at the dead end.
Contents
6 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1The Chains
Welcome to The Chains. As we step out onto this vast, undulating expanse of sandstone, I invite you to pause and orient yourself to the remarkable geological theater that surrounds us. …
Listen in the app2The Upper Terraces: Reading the Stone
We have moved slightly down from our starting point onto what we can call the upper terraces of The Chains. Look closely at the surface of the rock here. …
Listen in the app3The Descent: The Slickrock Micro-Ecosystem
As we navigate the descent toward the water, the terrain demands our attention. The term 'slickrock' was coined by early pioneer settlers whose iron-shod horses struggled to find purchase on these smooth, angled surfaces. …
Listen in the app4The Water's Edge: The Anthropogenic Sea
We have now reached the lower boundary of The Chains, where the ancient sandstone meets the cool, engineered waters of the reservoir. The contrast is immediate and absolute. …
Listen in the app5The Dam Vantage Point: Industrial Monolith
From this specific outcropping, if we turn our gaze westward, we command an impressive lateral view toward the Glen Canyon Dam. While the dam itself is physically located a short distance away, its imposing presence dominates the…
Listen in the app6Closing
As we conclude our exploration of The Chains, let us find a comfortable spot on the warm sandstone to sit and synthesize what we have observed. We began our journey reading the ancient narrative of wind-blown sand dunes recorded…
Listen in the app
What is The Chains?
The Chains is a place in Arizona · United States with 6 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Arizona · United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 6 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.9693, -112.1283 |
| Last updated |