The Sky in the Grand Canyon: Phantom Ranch Part 2

We were hot by the time we got back to Phantom, where we went inside to eat our sack lunches, drank some lemonade and enjoyed the fans. By mid-afternoon it was announced that due to the water breaks they would be turning off the electricity, so we went out to enjoy the creek. I had hoped to get down to the beach - I was going to jump in fully clothed killing two birds with one stone - but it was so hot that no one would walk all that way with me. Plus, with the water break washing out the trail to the beach, there was no guarantee we wouldn't have to go all the way around. So, we found our little corner of the creek, soaked our feet, legs, etc.

I washed off my pants and tried to help the newly formed rashes on my lower legs from getting too bad - the red dust must have some microorganisms to which I'm allergic in it and that dust blew right through my pants, settling on my lower legs. Then I removed my shirt and washed that out too. Boy was it cold putting that back on! It's hard to believe that I was shivering for a bit in 110+ degree weather. (Someone said they saw the thermostat hit 122.)

 Bright Angel Creek

 Footbridge crossing Bright Angel Creek

But here's the really incredible part: the clouds seem so much clearer, the sky almost smaller than it is back home, but gorgeous and worthy of better timelapses than my feeble attempts. Trying to get a sense of it? Watch my HD timelapse video on Vimeo:



Now that I've done this twice I can say with absolute certainty: If I do this again, I will only do it if I get a day at the bottom. Relaxation and recovery in addition to actually getting to enjoy being inside of the canyon make for happier hikers on the mandatory climb out of the canyon!

 HDR - Colorado River facing West from the Silver Footbridge

 Surreal HDR image of Bright Angel Creek

Next up: Hiking Bright Angel Trail to Indian Gardens and Sunset at Plateau Point

This is a series on our 2012 trip. In case you missed them, here are my previous posts:

• Rockin' the Bottom - Phantom Ranch Part 1
• Trekking the South Kaibab Trail into the Grand Canyon
• Petroglyph National Monument and the Painted Desert

All photos copyright Katrina Kouba Boles

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