I'm going to phantom ranch next week-in the grand canyon--and will have a day to hike around. Any suggested hikes?

The hike down to Phantom Ranch will take about 7 hours depending which trail you take. When you check in the Ranger Center before you go, they can give you more information. I went there a few years ago and that hike down took most of the day. Also it is extremly hot at the bottom of the canyon, so wear a hat and good hiking shoes and take plenty of water.

We're doing this trip in March 05.

What type of hiking boots are best for this trail.

I'm already looking into hiking poles and understand the anti shock are the best, especially for coming back up.

Any other pointers?

Connie: You should be okay as far as the heat is concerned in March. Go easy on your gear. If you can get away with less, you will be okay. Remember if you bring it down, you have to bring it back up. If you are coming in from the north rim, there should even be snow in March. We did this hike without poles and wore hiking shoes we got at our local sporting good store. I can't remember the brand but they were good and lasted us a few years. Check with any sporting good store about good hiking boots. My best advice is don't push yourself coming back up. We went after Memorial Day and it was very hot. Coming back we stopped mid-day for 4 hours because the sun was so brutal. They have kiosks that you can go into for shade. Just remember to drink a lot of water or sports drink if you want. For what it's worth, the hike to Phantom Ranch was one of the best experiences of my life. We camped down at Phantom Ranch and it was great. I can say I hiked the Grand Canyon and that is an accomplishment I am proud of.

Thanks Froggy. Hey, I'm already proud just for taking on the challenge!!

My sister has done this trip three times and still wants to do it again. She feels as you do that this is one of her proudest accomplishments.

For anyone wanting to do this, in March 04, December 05 was the first availability for Phantom Ranch.

I mistyped when I said we were doing it in March 05--it is actually 06.

Connie: I just remembered that there is no access to Phantom Ranch from the North Rim until after May 3rd I think. Too much snow! Which trail are you taking? Bright Angel or South Kaibab? Get on the Grand Canyon website for more information regarding your hike. There are a lot of tips offered. Good luck on your adventure and enjoy the Grand Canyon! You will remember this trip for the rest of your life. Take pictures!!!!

We are taking Bright Angel Trail. We already have reservations at Bright Angel Lodge for before and after and all our meals purchased at Phantom Ranch.

I've looked at their web site but I didn't see anything about what type of boots were appropriate for the trails. I'd rather go with a light weight day hiker but not if I need something more substantial.

I know there is a Yellowstone forum web site. Do you know if there is one for Grand Canyon?

Connie: Are you camping or staying in the dorms at Phantom Ranch? I wish I could be of more help as far as the boots are concerned. We bought ours at Sportsmart in So.California. I don't know where you are but I am sure a major sporting store chain could help you out. I do remember when we came back up and I took my boots off, I did have some blisters and went for the moleskin. I think my socks were too thick. We are going to the Grand Canyon this July but not planning to hike to the bottom this time. Maybe go as far as the rest stop at Indian Gardens and do it real early in the morning. If you do a search on google with the words Grand Canyon form, you might luck out and find one. Good luck and have fun!

We're staying in the dorms at Phantom Ranch.

I'll remember to pack some moleskin. Thanks for your help.

Youngtom: We hiked down to Phantom Ranch a few years ago. On the first day we hiked down the South Kaibob Trail (7 miles,) On the second day we hiked up the North Kaibab Trail to Ribbon Falls. It's about 12 miles round trip from Phantom Ranch and is a beautiful hike on fairly level or slightly slopping trails along Bright Angel Creek. You reach a steeper part of the trail about a mile before you reach Ribbon Falls. On the third day we hiked out using Bright Angel Trail(10 miles.) We planned it so that we'd be doing different hikes each day, although if you're doing a rim-to-rim hike you'll probably want to stop at Ribbon Falls on the way in. If so, the people at Phantom Ranch can probably give you directions for linking up to another trail on the South Rim. We went in late September and began our hikes early each day. It took us about 4 and a half hours to hike in, about 6 hours to do the Rainbow Falls hike, and 6 hours to hike out. This included lots of stops to take photos (fantastic views all the way,) have drinks, and, on the way out, a 45 minute stop at Indian Gardens where we ate our lunch at 9am. We arrived back at the North Rim about noon, and were not bothered much by the heat.
Connie:
I wore light Reebok hiking boots. I wanted to have the higher hiking boots for ankle protection on the way down. The most important thing is to have well broken-in footware! And carry molecloth as mentioned, (and sports cream for sore muscles!) Both my husband and I carried hiking sticks. I found a hiking stick helpful on both the way down and up. Ours have a removable cover on the bottom. With the cover off you have a sharp point which you can dig into the trail to help anchor yourself, useful on the way down.
We did not carry large backpacks, just water, food, and first aid supplies in day packs. We sent a bag with our clothes and an extra pair of shoes each on the mule trail. We didn't camp, but stayed in the dorms.
I, too, found this to be a great experience. My husband and I took the trip to celebrate our retirements at the ages of 58 and 63. With planning and preparation (lots of walking in the months before) we enjoyed every minute of it, and we're thinking about doing a rim-to-rim in the next couple of years.

I meant mule train, not mule trail!

kole3,

Thanks for your info. It's good to know that light weights boots will work. I'm on the lookout for hiking pole specials.

We have all our reservations set up. How did you go about having the mules take your clothes down? They didn't offer that service when making reservations. Is it something that needs to be far in advance or after we get there?

My sister did one of her GC hikes on January 1st all by herself not long after her husband left her suddenly. It gave back some of her self confidence she had lost.

Hi Connie,
We made reservations well beforehand. I think through the same telephone number we used to make the dorm and food reservations. Afterwards we received a confoimation with info about the limitations on the size of the duffel bag, etc. We had to drop off the bag at the mule barn the day before. The supply mule train leaves very early. The bag was on a rack near the restrooms at Phantom Ranch when we arrived at about 11:30am. Then on the day we left we put our bag in the same location on our way to breakfast, and we picked it up at the mule barn early that same afternoon. I think it cost $50 or $55 to use the service.
Good for your sister! Phantom Ranch is a beautiful, peaceful place, and everyone we met there was upbeat and supportive of each other. And when you get back to the top you do feel as if you've really accomplished something. So I know why she would choose to do the hike again in those circumstances.