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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If a hike up a narrow canyon to a waterfall appeals to you, Phantom Creek is your hike. This hike is accessed from a river rafting trip on the Colorado River. This canyon is located at river mile 88 on river right. Alternatively, you can hike in via the Bright Angel trail or the South Kaibab trail. Be Aware of: Walking in water, rock hopping. This is an easy hike. 35 yr old Recommendation: If you're changing crews at Phantom Ranch or have some free time in this area, this hike is a good, easy way to stretch your legs. Elevation change: About 200 ft gradual ascent from the river. Distance: 4.0 miles round trip (to the first waterfall and back) Time: It took us about 2.0 hours total. Time of year: Spring, Summer, Fall. Solitude: Not so good until you reach Phantom creek. This corridor is among the most heavily traveled hiking area in the entire Grand Canyon area. Once you get into Phantom creek, the crowds will thin significantly. Map: Click here for map So you're at Phantom ranch waiting for the next group of rafters to hike down so you can continue your river trip. Or perhaps you've hiked down the Bright Angel trail, camped at Bright Angel Campground, and you're looking for a short hike to explore the area. Here's a good way to stretch your legs and still enjoy some nice scenery without too much climbing. Phantom creek feeds the Bright Angel creek year round. To reach Phantom creek, hike up the boat beach towards Phantom ranch. Past the ranch, you'll stay on the well worn (and popular) North Kaibab trail. This trail heads north through an area known as 'the box' because the canyon narrows significantly and the trail crosses the creek a few times while staying high off the river. Once the trail heads back down to river level, look on your left for a creek entering the canyon. There is a brushy trail up Phantom creek to a small waterfall. Scrambling up the boulders to your left will allow you to continue your exploration, but we were short on time so we turned around here.
[Bridge over Bright Angel Creek]
[narrows]
[more narrows]
[waterfall about 0.5 miles from the mouth of Phantom Creek] We did this hike in October 2007. |
