Have you ever hiked to Phantom Ranch (bottom of Grand Canyon)? What was your experience?

Question

I have done so twice already and it has significantly impacted my life. The hike is difficult, esp. hiking out, but it is all worth it. I hope to be going back early summer.

Answer 1

I have been down there about a dozen times and definitely agree that it is a special place.  I try to go at least once a year and my last trip was in early December.

I usually take the South Kaibab trail down and get a thrill every time I cross the historic Black Bridge over the river.  You feel like you are completely away from everything - no cars, TVs, phones, noise, pollution and yet plugged into the whole world.  I like eating in the canteen and sharing food 'family style' with people who have come from all over the world - there is a certain sense of brotherhood among those who have been to the bottom.

And even though I have done much tougher hikes in my life, there is always a certain sense of accomplishment when you make it to the top again and look back down and see where you have been.  I find myself needing to get up to the canyon periodically to mentally and spiritually re-charge.  When you are working your way up or down the canyon, all the problems in your life seem to fade away and the only thing that matters is the efforts of your own muscles and the sweeping views that put trival day to day problems in perspective.

The Arizona Republic did an article a year or so ago about people who visit and hike the canyon and 'get the bug'.