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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

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      Sacred Datura: A Southwestern Moonflower

      September 26, 2018

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      Skeleton Point: A Glimpse of the Colorado

      September 26, 2018

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      Hiking Tips: Trekking Poles

      August 19, 2018

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      June 20, 2018

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      August 9, 2019

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      September 26, 2018

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    Eat & StayGeology & HistoryHikingOutdoor Activities

    Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Phantom Ranch

    written by Common Jones

    Visitors to the Grand Canyon often look to the bottom and say: “I wonder whats down there; I want to go down there”.  And for most people, the bottom culminates at a ranch where three corridor trails convene; the Bright Angel Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, and the North Kaibab Trail.  Presently this oasis at the bottom is dubbed Phantom Ranch, but it started as Rust’s Camp where prospectors, frontiersman, and hunters; could take weary rest after a foray into a then highly inaccessible place.  It eventually had a name change after President Theodore Roosevelt stayed at the camp on his way to the South Rim, after a hunting trip on the North Rim.

    Roosevelt’s stay helped spur visitation to the camp; expansion and improvements were made, including: irrigation of the Bright Angel Creek, cottonwood, peach, fig, pomegranate, olive, and a date palm to be planted, a mule corral, and a shade canopy.  As the National Park Service took charge of the Grand Canyon; trails were improved ( by the Civilian Conservation Corps) and visitation increased, but other improvements were needed to deal with the thousand visitors reaching the Canyon annually.  A massive increase that accompanied the rail line built to the Canyon.  And so, Mary Colter (a famous architect in the employ of the Sante Fe Railroad), was tasked with building more permanent accommodations.  Giving rise to the Phantom Ranch we know today.  Her prolific style can be seen all throughout the Canyon, as she designed 8 structures of the Canyon in what became known as “National Park Rustic”; examples on the South Rim include the Hopi House, Desert View Watchtower, Bright Angel Lodge, Hermit’s Rest, and the Lookout Studio.

    For those wishing to venture to Phantom Ranch, heavy preparations are required.  If you are looking to book a ride on a mule to the bottom, make your reservations 13 months in advance, and allot at least 2 days to go down and back.  You can find more info, and make a reservation at this website.

    Hikers will be just as sore as mule riders actually, unless you are an avid mule rider at home.  But preparations are even more your responsibility.  You are recommended to drink a gallon of water per person, per day; avoid the hottest times of day (1pm-4pm), and be aware of your abilities.  The best times to hike are in Spring and Autumn as well.  Though the National Park Service’s Backcountry Office will be your best source of current info, recommendations, and permits. Camping next to Phantom Ranch at Cottonwood Campground will take permits.  The Park’s hiking site is here, please use this site for ideas, and reference.

    However you arrive, Phantom Ranch itself is on a lottery system for reservations; before the Ranch would book up within a day of two of opening reservations for it’s following year.  It was a much a gamble that the phone lines would even be able to connect you to an operator, on top of there being any availability.  The lottery system is handled online, and takes all the stress out of getting a night at the Ranch.  You can look into the lottery system at Xanterra’s website, here.

    Cool Spaces in Hot Places: Phantom Ranch was last modified: February 9th, 2018 by Common Jones
    February 9, 2018 0 comment
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  • FeaturedGeology & HistoryHikingOutdoor Activities

    Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    Of the places most people begin their vacations, Phoenix is a common port of entry to fly in to.  The city of Phoenix is what most people consider to be the west;…

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  • Story & Song

    Mary Jane Colter

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    Mary Colter is a prominent historic figure of, not only the Grand Canyon, but of the south west.  I often say the Mary Colter bracketed the National Park, having designed the western…

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  • Eat & StayGeology & HistoryOtherOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Desert View Watchtower

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    Some ninety percent of visitors reach only the south rim of the Grand Canyon, but with 277 river miles, and some one million and a quarter square miles of park, there’s plenty to…

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  • Geology & HistoryHikingOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Hermit’s Rest

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    Hermit’s Rest is a historic rest house constructed in 1914 by Mary Colter.  Originally set up with one room on each wing, it was quickly over burdened by the influx of visitors,…

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  • Geology & HistoryStory & Song

    Wildlife of the Grand Canyon

    by Common Jones November 25, 2017

    The Grand Canyon boast amazing diversity, with five of the seven major life zones found on Earth being represented in and around it’s walls.  With three hundred fifty-five resident bird species, over…

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  • Geology & HistoryHikingOutdoor Activities

    Canyon de Chelly National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    One of the most visited National Monuments in America, Canyon de Chelly preserves a series of canyons where people have lived for, and families have sustained themselves, for thousands of years.  To…

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  • Geology & HistoryOutdoor Activities

    Tuzigoot National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    Sometimes the main attraction is something you can’t even see.  It’s felt in your heart, its heard in the wind, or a place your imagination has to recreate.  The southwest holds on…

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  • Entertainment & ToursGeology & HistoryHikingOutdoor ActivitiesRoutes & Itineraries

    Walnut Canyon National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    Just 10 miles from down town Flagstaff lies the remnants of the Sinaqua culture group; consisting of a few pueblos, graineries, and over 80 cliff dwellings tucked into the canyon walls like…

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  • Geology & HistoryHikingOutdoor Activities

    Montezuma Castle National Monument

    by Common Jones November 6, 2017

    This site is right off the Interstate 17 on your way from Phoenix to Flagstaff near Camp Verde. A quick diversion off the freeway will yield a great lunch spot that will…

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  • Backpacking the Boucher Trail

    August 9, 2019
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This Website is Owned and Operated by Bright Angel Bicycles & Cafe | To contact the moderators, please contact BAB directly at www.bikegrandcanyon.com | Please note that you will visit the places mentioned in this blog, or you participate in activities described, that you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! You should always consider nature a formidable force, and take all measures of safety necessary for safe travel and also mindfully conserve the wilderness that you are visiting for future visitors.


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