Phantom Ranch continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the National Parks system; its accommodations are often sold out a year in advance. The Ranch now includes cabins, two dormitories one for men and one for women, a restaurant, a mule corral, emergency medical facilities, a ranger station and the Bright Angel Trail Campground along with a heliport.
The restaurant serves only meals that are booked in advanced. Dinner meals are served at 5 (Steak Dinner) and 6:30 p.m. (Beef Stew) respectively. Hikers can also purchase sack lunches in advance. This is also the only location in the U.S. that the all mail is still taken out by mules.
Cabins are available for the mule riders. Hikers can call the night prior your hike to request a cabin upgrade if available. You are notified at 6:30 a.m. the morning of departure if they can accommodate your request. Our trip coordinator Kathy did a fantastic job getting us a cabin upgrade.
Our cabin had two rooms. One room contained 2 bunk beds, while the other room contained 3 bunk beds. Kathy, Donna and I drew the short straws and had to settle for the upper bunk. I can't tell how hard it is to get up and down the ladder after a day of hiking. I hope I don't get a leg cramp!
After a 5 a.m breakfast the gang is ready for the return hike. Our sack lunches are loaded and most of us are ready to go. I can't see if my eyes are open or shut!
Here's a short video that Barry took on our departure from Phantom Ranch.
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