I lucked into a 2 night cancellation for the dorm at Phantom Ranch and wanted to make sure I got my fill of the "GC experience". Left at 6:30AM (just a little bit dark) and made Clear Creek by 11:30AM...and with sore feet (blisters after an idle summer) made it back by 4:30 in time for steak dinner.

This is a long day hike with highlights at both ends: climbing out of Bright Angel with great river views and, after the long Tonto traverse, a scenic descent into the next flowing creek to the east.

This was just my 3rd trip to the canyon but I'm more impressed every time.