We are up around sunrise, have breakfast, and head down the trail.  The trail is relatively flat and quite smooth.  In about a half-hour, we reach the turnoff to Ribbon Falls.  We cross the bridge over Bright Angel Creek and in another ten minutes are at a three-foot step-down where we leave our packs.  This allows us to walk unhindered the remaining few hundred yards to the base of Ribbon Falls.  The rock cliff behind the falls is solid green with moss.  Tim and I climb up to the small cave-like cavity on the north side of the falls.  There are numerous white flowers (Sacred Datura) growing there.  After picture taking and a little exploring, we begin retracing our steps back to the main trail. 

     Once across the bridge, the trail begins a steep climb to the south, eventually looping around and then dropping down again, ending up right next to Bright Angel Creek again.  The climb has caused my knees to hurt badly.  We then see a sign indicating there is a shortcut route from the main trail to the falls.  I make a mental note that if I ever do this hike again and visit the falls, I will be sure to take that shortcut from the falls back to the main trail.  From this point on, the trail is wide and smooth and follows Bright Angel Creek all the way to Phantom Ranch.  It is about the same as walking on level ground and is a refreshing change from the steep descents of yesterday. 

     We stop for lunch just before the trail enters the Box section.  This is an area with high, steep walls that tightly surround the trail.  Pictures do not do justice to the view.  Now I know how ants must feel walking along looking up at the sheer, cliff walls.  When we reach another bridge and the intersection of Phantom Canyon with Bright Angel Canyon, we know we are getting close to Phantom Ranch.  In just a few minutes we reach the Clear Creek Trail sign, so it won't be long now.  Another half-mile and we reach Phantom Ranch.  We stop for a short rest and a beer, then it's on to the campground.  Surprisingly a campsite right next to Bright Angel Creek is available, so we claim it.  My daughter and I missed out on those sites on our hike last year.  However these sites by the creek are small, a little rough with pebbles, and not level, so I'm not sure this is as good as I thought it would be.

     After setting up camp, we walk back to Phantom Ranch and write postcards to all our friends.  I show Tim how to stamp his postcards with Phantom Ranch's red "mailed by mule team" stamp.  While we still have lots of light, we head out to the Kaibab suspension bridge to get our picture there.  There are quite a few people with bathing suits on, but the water is a cold 45 degrees, so I'm not sure I see any fun in that.  I head back to Phantom Ranch for the 5:00 steak while Tim is having the hiker's stew at the second meal setting.

     Gosh, I can't believe how great that steak supper was.  I am impressed that they can get everything down here to do the meals.  I wish I had gotten the steak supper for my hike last year.  After supper I listen to the Ranger program on John Wesley Powell while I wait for Tim to finish his meal.  Then we have more beer before heading back to camp for the night.

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