Phantom Ranch
 

Wondering what to wear and what to expect regarding meals and activities for Christmas at phantom Ranch. We will be on a mule trip. But thanks for any insights or suggestions., we do have a year to prepare!

Re what to wear.

At the rim you need to be prepared for snowy conditions and temps as low as 0F, or -15 to -20C. It's the dead of winter at high elevation. Since the mules are doing the work you won't be generating body head as you would if you were hiking. Think of sitting outside in the bitter cold for hours, and make sure you are prepared.

At phantom ranch it'll be considerably warmer, but can also be quite cold especially overnight, and the nights are long. You need to be prepared for overnight temps below freezing, and daytime temps up to the 50's+. You'll be spending a lot of time, at least the limited during daylight hours, outside, so 3-4 non-absorbing layers you can peel off as the day warms up are a must.

How long do you have at the river? And how much hiking to you want to do?

There is not a lot to do right at Phantom Ranch - it's really a very small camp nestled in the side valley of the main canyon. Bringing along a deck or 2 of cards or a small portable game will give you something to do, and include other travelers you meet. If you want to bring adult beverages then I recommend bringing boxed wine to minimize the amount of waste that needs to be carried out. You'd need to check with NPS about how much weight you are allowed to ship by mule. I believe your bags travel separately from you on a different mule train.

If I had 2 nights I'd spend the first afternoon, after arrival, hiking across the two bridges, maybe take the Bright Angel trail over to Pipe Creek where you can access the river. That's a nice, relatively short set of trails and crossing both bridges on foot is a must.

On the longer day I'd take a much longer hike, maybe along the S. Kaibab trail, maybe up to where it meets the Tonto then upstream for a few miles. To maximize outdoor time I'd be on the trail at first light. Actual daylight hours at the bottom of the canyon are shorter than sunrise/sunset since you are 5000' below the rim. Be sure to bring headlamps - there aren't a lot of streetlights at the bottom of the GC to guide our way. Pack a picnic lunch & water, but be sure to find out before hand what time the store is open, or what food you can bring on your own.

Or you could hike up the N. Kaibab trail along Bright Angel Creek a few miles up towards Cottonwood camp, or branch off along the Clear Creek trail.

If it's a full moon or nearly full, I'd also do a nighttime hike across the bridges. A moonlight hike in the GC is magical. The moonlight can be bright enough that you don't even need headlamps. No need to be confined to camp or your cabin after dark. :)

The 3rd day I think the mules head up to the rim pretty early.

I thought they have the same meal every night. Either steak or stew. I suppose they might do something different for Christmas, but you would have to ask them directly.

How many mules make the trip down, and how many back up? ;)

Normally, you have to reserve your meals (seat and meal choice) when you reserve your trip--at least that's what we were asked to do. We hiked instead of rode the mules but we had to reserve everything with one phone call--hotel on rim, sleeping space at Phantom, all meals at Phantom.

I looked it up. Your choices are steak, HIker's stew or vegetarian chili.

Be sure to send a postcard to yourself and others from Phantom Ranch.

"Phantom Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds the distinction of being one of the only two places left in America whose mail is still delivered by mule."

It will be stamped with an image that says Mailed by Mule from the bottom of the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch. You place your postcards in an old leather saddle bag that says "Outgoing Mail".

Do a Google search of Phantom Ranch and click on Images. You'll see lots of pictures that will show you what to expect.

Thanks so much. I wonder if there is a dressier dress code for the christmas dinner? We will ask, but this is wonderfully helpful.

There will not be a dressier dress code. It's not the Awahnee lodge. Most visitors to phantom ranch will arrive there by foot carrying everything on their back. Any expectation of carrying non-essential gear for one meal wouldn't fly even if they wanted to.

Get on youtube and watch videos of the mules and the meal, then you'll have an idea

Spirobulldog - why didn't I think of that? Thanks!

And for all the input - I think I can manage from here. Gracias!!

Connie...I wish I'd known about mailing myself a postcard when I hiked down to Phantom Ranch. That's great to know in case I ever do it again!