Phantom Ranch & Ribbon Falls

Both exciting and taunting are the "Phantom Ranch" signs leading into the camp (so close yet not quite there!!)

Phantom Ranch 101:

- Prior to being called Phantom Ranch, the "resort village" (and I use that term loosely) was called Roosevelt Camp in honor of President Roosevelt's journey and love for the canyon

- The ranch was built in the 1920's with materials bought down on mules and is one of only two places left in America whose mail is still delivered by mule

- The ranch is at an elevation of about 2,460 feet

- The site includes a number of cabins, dormitories and a restaurant (again, I use this term loosely - it's more of camp style mess hall) that serves 2 meals each night - steak or stew

- Only about 1% of GC visitors annually visit Phantom Ranch

- There are hot showers and flushing toilets. Thank goodness :)

Below is the mess hall/canteen.

Inside the dining room - groups are assigned seats for breakfast and lunch; both meals are hot and decently tasty. The ranch also packs a brown bag lunch for guests.

Hangin around our cabin - the 10 of us had a cabin to ourselves with 5 bunk beds, a sink and toilet. The beds were surprisingly comfy (or maybe we were just exhausted both nights we stayed at the ranch).

On our supposed rest day Courts, Dad, Andrew, Patrick, Steve, Jim and I took on an ambitious 5.7mi hike to Ribbon Falls up the North Kaibab Trail and back.

We started mid-morning and were excited to see what was in store for us...

To get to Ribbon Falls you have to walk through The Box, a deep canyon known for getting roasting hot during mid day. Luckily we started early enough that we were in the shade most of the way.

Nearing the falls, the trail opens up a bit which is beautiful but also a little roasty toasty.

At this point we thought we saw the falls off in the distance but we weren't sure.

Yup! It definitely was!

Gorgeous water cascades, green moss and crystal clear pool - Ribbon Falls in a nutshell.

Padre. Can you see the little rainbow at the bottom of the falls? :)

The falls didn't look too big from the main trail - in fact, it was huge. And amazing. And breathtaking.

Up behind the falls was this mystical little green grotto.

 

Cooling our feet in the pool and hanging out for lunch. Is there a more spectacular place to have a picnic??

It was such a special gift to spend the day hiking with family, especially my sister and dad.

I haven't seen anything so magical since spending the afternoon by another waterfall a few years ago in Slovenia.

We found a shortcut via a river crossing on the way back and made it home with a bit of time to rest before dinner - steak this night, after stew the first night.

The hike was long and we all felt a little crazy for hiking an extra 11.4 miles but it was so worth it. No regrets and tons on memories :)