Good year for Feb, March Phantom Ranch reservations

[Selkie]

Cabin res Feb, March 2024

No dormitories available, but cabin (get together with some friends) inventory will be released on Feb 1, 2024, for February, and on March 1, 2024, for March. This is the only exception I've seen to the lottery system and 12-months-in-advance try.

Also of significance: Bright Angel Trail is closed. So from the S Rim, one hikes down and up S Kaibab Trail - and it has no water.

[Jay w]

The one time I was out there (March or April I believe), I ran sections of the Kaibab trail on the way to Phantom ranch. This got the guys I passed all fired up, so then there were four guys running down the trail. On the way up the Bright Angel, a guy that sounded like he was from Austria was trying to keep up with me and his wife was getting mad at his pace and he was getting pissed at me.

I'm just a hiking disaster.

Phantom Ranch sounds excellent, particularly at that time of year.

Jay

[teapot57]

Darn- we’re a month off. A few of us Chatters are hiking down South Kaibob and spending 2 nights at Bright Angel campground, and then hiking out on the Bright Angel Trail (after it reopens), spending one night at Havasupai Gardens to break up the climb out. We’re hoping to pick up Phantom Ranch cancellations. We won’t have those issues, Jay- no one will have trouble keeping up with our pace

[Selkie]

Phantom Ranch sounds excellent, particularly at that time of year.

I last stayed at Phantom Ranch in ?2011, when it was easy to stand in line at the Transportation Desk in Bright Angel Lodge and pick up cancellations. I believe that may now be a historical experience.
Late March was the sweet spot -- ice and snow at the top (needed spikes), 70 degrees F at the River.

Best to try for two nights, to walk to Ribbon Falls on the lieu day and play in swimming holes.

teapot57, Good luck with getting a reservation!

[Selkie]

The Feb reservations for 4-person cabin went quickly, as expected.