Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch

Phantom Ranch is nestled in the Grand Canyon basin on the Colorado River--a location hardly visible from the rim and only accessible after a journey through scores of geologic layers. The only way there is by river rafting, hiking, or mule, and with each foot of the journey, the traveler descends 30,000 years in geologic time. While at Phantom Ranch, the view looking above is of 1.7 billion years of geology, all swirling together in an alphabet of colors. Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch is the story of the rustic buildings designed by architect Mary Jane Colter in 1921, of the park's first peoples, river rafters, the early trail and bridge builders, and dramatic flash floods. When travelers leave Phantom Ranch, they are never the same. For some of them, departing is as if they have just said good-bye to an old friend.

Robert W. "Bob" Audretsch first hiked to Phantom Ranch in 1977 and has logged over 10,000 miles on canyon trails below the rim. Audretsch worked as a park ranger at the canyon for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2009. During that time, he extensively studied its geology, natural history, and human history. This book shares his intimate knowledge of the Grand Canyon, along with his thorough research in archival collections. Since his retirement he has devoted his full time to researching the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps. His latest book is Selected Grand Canyon Area Hiking Routes, Including the Little Colorado River and Great Thumb.  He resides in Lakewood, Colorado.