Hike to Phantom Ranch - There and Back Again - August 17 and 18

We started out at 5:30 am from the Bright Angel Trail Head - destination Phantom Ranch - 9.5 miles; elevation change from rim to Colorado River is 4,460 feet.

The mules caught up with us around mile 8, we moved off the trail to avoid the dust

Looking out over the canyon from the trail

Marilyn heading down the trail

Marilyn coming down the trail

Further down

Still 5 miles to Phantom Ranch

The zig zag is the section of trail named the Devil's Cork Screw - appropriately named, steep and numerous hair pin turns

Our first view of the Colorado River

Suspension bridge crossing the Colorado

Marilyn crossing over

Finally, 7 hours later, we arrived at Phantom Ranch for an overnight stay.  We stayed in the women's dorm with 8 other women.

August 18, on our way back up.  We left Phantom Ranch at 5:45 am

Looking back

Still smiling

Looking back, we're getting closer to the top

5 minutes from the top - whew, we did it.  Took us close to 9+ hours, cruising speed 1/mph, slow and steady. Whew!  Carrying 3 liters of water, 8 pounds, is heavy.  We drank that and more on the way up. We topped off our water bottles and water reservoirs at Indian Gardens, the 5 mile spot, and also got water 3 1/2 miles from the top.

Just above this spot, Arlene was waiting for us. She saw us coming and came to meet us.

We went to Arlene's cabin for much needed coffee and tea.  Then got cleaned up and had dinner at the Bright AngelLodge.  Early night, we're bushed.  

Tomorrow we're off to the North Rim for 2 nights.