Bright Angel Creek water temperature & flow in Phantom Ranch area- Tonto - South Kaibab, AZ :: Question by jpascale

[jpascale]

Does anyone know if the water flow for Bright Angel Creek flowing through the Phantom Ranch area is ADEQUATE now to lie in for cooling your body? Is it REASONABLY COLD to lie in to keep yourself cooled down with THE 100 degree heat FORECAST down there on 9-26-22? (The Colorado river is much muddier)

[chumley]

It's plenty cool. But if you're concerned about the heat, you should take any number of other precautions before planning on needing to get in the creek to cool off (including not going). Getting in creek is the solution to a problem ... don't put yourself in a position where that's a problem that needs solving.

[jpascale]

@chumley
Agree. Thanks. The Xterra contractor is being conservative and is keeping the Phantom Canyon Canteen building closed. So no air-conditioned building is available for those camping in Bright Angel Campground. Temps are above normal now. We are taking precautions, however, keeping cool after getting down is of value so that the heat does not take too much energy out of you for the next day's hike up Bright Angel Trail. So do you know if there is plenty of water flow in Bright Angel Creek?

[nonot]

I would answer your question as no. Bright Angel Creek only is useful if you get there, and based on the way you are asking about it, it suggests your body is unable to tolerate the heat on the long hike it takes to reach it.

Since Bright Angel Creek simply doesn't exist along the hike to reach it, it cannot provide a means of cooling your body during the 100 degree heat at the times your body would seem to need the cooling.

There is a reason for all the warning signs that are posted about hiking in the heat, don't become a statistic.

[Hansenaz]

Also worth mentioning: last time I wanted to cool off in the creek at Phantom Ranch it was running so muddy I didn't do it.