Joey

My wife and I are planning a hiking trip/camping trip down the Grand Canyon during the last of April. I have tried to get Phantom Ranch reservations, but to no avail. Therefore, we are going to try to get a camping permit. Assuming we will be successful (and I realize that may be assuming a lot), I am going to make meal reservations at Phantom Ranch. As of today, the only reservations available were vegetarian. My questions concern the meals.
Exactly what do the meals consist of? I know the vegetarian is obviously vegetables, but are they stir-fried or is it just a salad? And what about breakfast? All I can find so far is that they are "hearty". What food is served? What is in the sack lunches? And do they serve any other kind of food at the canteen for those not lodging there?
Sorry for all the questions, but thanks in advance.
Joey

Alex8

Hi. We have stayed at Phantom Ranch a few times. We have only had the beef stew and steak dinner. The stew was best, but the steak was fine. The breakfast is hearty, bacon, eggs, toast, etc. The lunch is a bagel, rasins, apple, and maybe a drink. We got the lunch the first time and have skipped it after that, $10.00 for a bagel. We just brought power bars and our own apple, we felt better anyway, not so weighed down. I would like to encourage you to keep calling and be flexible with your dates. We have gotten reservations very close to our departure, just keep calling. As far as other food at the canteen, just snacks, packaged cookies, chips, pretzels, plenty of beer, wine, and lemonade. Canteen closes at different times of the day, to prepare for meals and during meal times. Your meal time is a definate appointment, and this is according to your selection, stew, steak, etc. The steak is first at 5:30PM. Dinner and breakfast are served family style. Our first time we had breakfast, but since we are early risers, we have skipped it subsequently. Breakfast is around 5:30 or 6:00 AM. But since the hard part of your hike is at the end, and it will be HOT and difficult, we like to start early to try and beat the heat. The hike out is 5-8 hours, depending on your fitness level. The young ranger does it in 3 1/2 hours. The last three miles are killer. If you have any other questions I would be happy to answer what I can. You will love your trip!

itsv

Try to get a Phantom Ranch reservation again. The l.A. times reported that they have stopped taking mules down the trail due to erosion problems so many reservations at phantom ranch have been cancelled thereby opening it up to those people who are hiking down. Perhaps now you can get a reservation.

Joey

I was beginning to think my post was lost! Thanks to Alex8 and itsv for your information.

Cher

I've heard that they've closed the mule trail till the end of Oct for "maintenance"