Lower Phantom Creek & Miner's Route

October 23, 2009

I spent September and early October away from the Canyon – mostly on the John Muir Trail.

Extra travels after the JMT included Death Valley and Zion National Park, where I finally hiked the full length of the Narrows. Since I was in peak hiking shape after returning to the Canyon, and partially inspired by the Narrows, I decided to go explore lower Phantom Creek as a day hike.

From its mouth at Bright Angel Creek, I traveled up Phantom Creek as far as I could – and ultimately turned around.

On the return trip up to the South Rim, I followed the lower Miner’s Route for the first time, which leads from the River Trail to the Tonto plateau. Once I was up on the Tonto, I hiked east to the South Kaibab Trail, and up to the rim.

A blanket of unique, wispy clouds covered the Canyon on this day, creating wonderful light for photos.

This post is mostly a photo essay, divided into three parts. Part One documents the hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Creek. Part Two is entirely within the canyon of Phantom Creek itself, and then Part Three shows the hike up the lower Miner’s Route and South Kaibab Trails.

South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Creek

The trail was surprisingly quiet on this late October morning.

This family of deer seemed to be on a mission to get somewhere, migrating together from point A to point B.

more photos on South Kaibab:

Exploring Phantom Creek

This is the mouth of Phantom Creek at its confluence with Bright Angel Creek. It’s easy to miss as you hike on the North Kaibab Trail.

I turned around at this pool. It was chest-deep at the foot of the waterfall, and I foolishly hadn’t brought any dry bags to protect my camera and gear.

A bypass maybe looked possible off the left side of the image, but the climbing was more treacherous than I was willing to attempt.

more from Phantom Creek:

Up the Miner’s Route & South Kaibab

I spied this little guy along the trail that leads east to the Black Bridge, near the interpretive archaeological site.

I took the opportunity to walk The River Trail, a path on the south side of the River between the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge that sees more mule tracks than human footprints. I’d never done this bit of the trail, and the unique views were worth it.

The Miner’s Route begins in the first main drainage to the west of the Silver Bridge. It takes a twisted, steep path up through the granite and schist, gains a minor ridge, and makes a short traverse before breaking up through the Tapeats Sandstone.