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Phantom Ranch Rim to Rim Grand Canyon Day 3 – Part 5

Canteen Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe Canteen at Phantom Ranch
After seven miles hiking through Grand Canyon from Cottonwood camp we were motivated for a cold beer and chocolate so we just dropped our packs outside the Canteen and hurried in.
Inside Canteen Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy and Jan (plus others) in the Canteen
The seating is family style and Amy joined in with other hikers to learn a new card game.
Postcard Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaIt’s a tradition to send a postcard with the “Mailed by Mule” stamp. I sent one to Berta but I didn’t have all your addresses with me.
Cabin Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRental cabin
Phantom Ranch was designed by Mary Jane Colter to replace the original Rust’s Camp. With limited accommodations, reservations are made 13 months in advance, for meals also.
Welcome to Bright Angel Campground Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaNeedless to say, we didn’t have those luxuries and instead stayed in Bright Angel Campground.
Bright Angel campsite Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJan in Bright Angel Camp
After I made dinner Amy and Jan returned to the Canteen when they reopened to everybody at 8pm. I laid my ground cloth, sleeping pad and bag down on the ground and watched the star filled sky. It was a wonderfully warm 55F night. Jan slept on the picnic table and Amy in the tent.
Mule deer Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGreeted by Mule deer along the trail to the Canteen
I was up early, but not before many hikers had already hit the trail, and went to the Canteen for coffee.
South Rim from Bright Angel camp Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMorning light on the South Rim
Wasn’t long before Amy and Jan joined me along with other hikers we’d talked to. We had 5 miles (8 km) to hike up 1330 feet (832 meters) to our next campground at Indian Gardens.
Bright Angel Creek through camp Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaBright Angel Creek runs next to the campground
Soaking pools encircled by rocks for those hot summer days. We really didn’t need to cool off, but a shower would have been sweet.
Mules Phantom Ranch Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMules at Phantom Ranch
Some people ride mules from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch. No matter how you get down and back, something is going to hurt.
Amy Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAmy hitting the trail
So we hoisted our packs, which should have been lighter but didn’t feel like it, and headed off to the Silver Bridge which crosses the Colorado River.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments 23 Comments

Hiking Grand Canyon 2009 Part 2

Bright Angel Canyon & South Rim
We left Cottonwood Campground about 9am for a leisurely hike through Bright Angel Canyon.

Ribbon Falls
Took a one mile (1.6 km) side trip to Ribbon Falls where a huge mound of travertine is built up.

Monkeyflower
North Kaibab Trail parallels the riparian area along Bright Angel Creek which offers a diversity of life.

American Dipper
And a tempting place for a snack.

Bee in Grizzly Bear Cactus

Grand Canyon Lodge on North Rim
I was really surprised to be able to see the Lodge over 5500 feet (1676 m) above.

Desert Spiny Lizard

Entering the Box of Bright Angel Canyon
My favorite part of the trail is a narrow gorge1200 feet (366 m) deep. Another hiker and I were almost run over by a charging Mountain Sheep and didn’t have the presence of mind to take a picture.

Quartz and Mica in the Vishnu Schist
Here we walked past the oldest rock in the canyon, about 1,800 million years old.

Whipsnake
Day two, we walked 7.9 miles (12.7 km) in six hours and lost another 1534 feet (468 m).

Phantom Ranch Canteen
After a shower we went to the Canteen for a cold beer and chocolate. I sent a couple postcards that are stamped on the back “Delivered by Mule.”

That night our boss and her sister made us spaghetti dinner where we stayed in the Park Service bunkhouse, complete with bunk beds that were a bit better than the hard ground the night before.

The South Rim from the bunkhouse
So now we’d made it to the bottom of the canyon, but it’s still a long way back up.
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Parks and Monuments, North Kaibab Trail 14 Comments

Lijit

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