A historic refuge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon has long provided shelter for weary hikers after grueling descents, earning a near-legendary status over decades. The remote Phantom Ranch, established by a former U.S. president, sits along a vital waterway where the canyon’s harsh terrain meets the Colorado River. While typically a lifeline for exhausted trekkers, the area recently became the scene of a deadly flash flood that trapped dozens, forcing a massive rescue effort. Its enduring role as both a survival outpost and a symbol of the canyon’s untamed beauty contrasts sharply with the disaster that struck its visitors.
Phantom Ranch, set up by Teddy Roosevelt, has welcomed exhausted hikers to its famed cabins for over a centuryTwo dead and nearly 80 rescued after Grand Canyon flash floodPhantom Ranch has been a solitary refuge visited by some of the most famous names of history. More typically, it’s been a beacon for the half-collapsed, exhausted and overheated hikers trudging down the Grand Canyon for more than a century.The sole lodge at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon, the cabins long had a near mythical reputation. Located along the Bright Angel Creek, which tumbles into the mighty Colorado River at the base of the canyon, they served as a reminder of the long history of one of America’s most spectacular but savage environments. Continue reading...
