Adventure 2010 #2 of 3

Phantom Ranch is a unique experience. With only two seatings for breakfast and dinner (no lunch is served, only sack lunches) and those meals served family style, you interact with lots of people.  We met individuals from Ireland, Canada, China, England and several states around the country.  A great variance between young (a girl 8-yrs-old) and old (a couple in their 80's). The diversity was amazing but the common thread was the appreciation of the beauty of the Canyon.

DAY FOUR

After a hearty breakfast Papa and I realized that we needed a good walk/short hike to work the stiff muscles in our legs.  We opted to explore the South Kaibab junction first to stay on a relatively level trail. If that went well, we'd go on the Clear Creek Trail to the overlook to see an aerial view of Phantom Ranch.

As we got closer to the black suspension bridge that leads over the Colorado River to the South Kaibab Trail, we noticed the rafts. We assumed that this is the point that those rafting adventures end.

Then we crossed the suspension bridge and saw a tunnel that makes Supai Tunnel look small in comparison.  This tunnel is probably 2.5-3 times longer than Supai Tunnel. What was most surprising was the steep grade on the other side. South Kaibab is a challenging trail.

We retraced our steps back to Phantom Ranch and decided to keep going about a half mile up North Kaibab trail to the Clear Creek junction.  There we started climbing...and climbing.  We finally reached a saddle and thought surely we were close.

We kept going even though we felt like saving what energy we had remaining. Years ago we had given up just a quarter mile from reaching a vantage point during a hike.  We were so disappointed when we realized how close we were and we didn't force ourselves to push on. This time, we learned from that day and we pushed forward. The reward was worth it.  We got a wonderful aerial view of Phantom Ranch.

Under those trees (cottonwood, AZ sycamore, and many others) are the buildings of Phantom Ranch.  The small cabins create the outer ring.  To the far left and on the other side of Bright Angel Creek is Bright Angel Campground.  The right side is the canteen and on the far right of the rock jutting out are the men's/women's dorm buildings.

This was home for two nights. The temperature was in the 90's during the afternoon/heat of the day but it cooled down beautifully at night with a little chill to the air.  The skies were crystal clear and the stars were brilliant. At night the deer roamed the area at will, bats flew over our heads. We were surrounded by pristine nature.

The afternoon we retreated to the canteen where the evaporative cooler kept the building comfortable and the lemmy (lemonade) was flowing and refreshing. We wrote a few post cards and Papa mailed them by sliding them into a leather saddle bag hanging on the wall. All postcards, letters, etc. sent from Phantom Ranch have a "mailed by mule" stamp; the only stamp like it in the world.

We enjoyed the hiker stew for the evening meal, met more people from around the world and people from the Phoenix area. We laid on a picnic table and watched the stars appear before finally giving in and going to bed. Tomorrow we would face the biggest challenge, hiking out of the Canyon.

To view pictures of Adventure 2010:  click here
For video of the overlook: click here.
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