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I am still getting ready for my next Canyon hike June 8th and still asking questions! I read that when you stay in the cabins (my friends and I are in the ladies dorm one) that you have to be careful about mice trying to get your food. Is that really a problem in the cabin facilities at Phantom Ranch? Do they have any metal boxes there like they do at the campsites? What do you do when you are staying overnight and you do have food with you for the rest of your trip? Is there a place to put it so it will be safe? I can't believe I am asking about this but my friend and I read about it on the Internet and were talking about it today, so I figured I'd see what's up. Somebody out there must know! Thanks!

I wouldn't worry about the mice. All the snakes eat 'em up right away. :P

I'm sure "helpful" information will follow :!:

When I go by myself and stay in the dorms there are coathooks on the wall--I just hang my whole pack up there. I like to get the top bunk by the door because the window is right over your head and you are in control of opening it--or not. There is so little space to put things , it is nice to have a windowsill all your own too. Have a great trip--Mary

I'll find out next Monday and Tuesday and let you know when I get back. From what I've heard they have hooks to hang your pack on.

I have stayed in the dorms at Phantom Ranch on 3 different occasions and have never seen or heard a mouse. Nor have I had anyone else comment/complain about mice. There may be some in the camp ground but I don't think there are any in the dorms. They do not have metal cans, but, as MaryPhyl stated above, there are wall hooks for each bunk.

Bottom line - don't worry. Be happy.

Have fun.

I know the question seemed silly, but when I read about it (I had never heard this before!) I figured I had to ask! I have backpacked in the Canyon a few times before and really did have animals try to eat our food! That was when you had to hang your pack from those metal posts. Now they have the metal boxes on the ground at the campsites, and it is great. I figured the dorm cabins would probably be fine, but I am traveling very light--a fanny pack, water and my food--so I didn't want to take any chances waking up in the morning to the remnants of a critter feast! I am not really worried--just very excited about going back into the Canyon--and I am certainly happy about it! Thanks for your responses to my question!

MaryPhyl wrote:When I go by myself and stay in the dorms there are coathooks on the wall--I just hang my whole pack up there. I like to get the top bunk by the door because the window is right over your head and you are in control of opening it--or not. There is so little space to put things , it is nice to have a windowsill all your own too. Have a great trip--Mary

Thanks, Mary! I took your advice and grabbed the upper bunk just inside the door and suggest you do the same, Diane. I had two window sills to put stuff on and the HUGE hook for the packs were within easy reach of the upper bunk! You can hang everything on them; shorts, shirts, pack, hat....all on one hook and reach everything without even getting outta bed! The bad news is, it puts your head right next to the door they bang on at 4:30 a.m. to wake those who have the 5:00 a.m breakfast

Aaargh--I don't see how they sell breakfast there. First off they insist on having all the food on the table before they let anyone in there so natch it is cold. Besides, who would want to eat a big meal at that hour. You can get coffee at the back window whenever. I have not messed with their breakfast in years--I just save some cornbread and or chocolate cake from dinner--keeps OK on that windowsill;) MP

Hi MP, Actually I enjoyed the breakfast and, for the most part, it was warm; scrambled eggs, bacon, hot cakes and peach halves Tues. a.m. and then hiked No Kaibab trail out to Ribbon Falls to work it off.
All in all the whole trip was absolutely great!

We are getting the dinner the night before, but we plan to be out hiking back to the Rim on the Bright Angel at dawn, so we won't be getting the breakfast there. That is why I was concerned about mice--my breakfast will be in my pack and I want to be sure it will still be there for me when we get going in the morning! I also didn't want little creepy crawlers running around me trying to get the food in my pack while I sleep.

What is the dinner like? I can't believe we will have to wait until 7 p.m. to get it. Hope it is worth it!

What is the dinner like? I can't believe we will have to wait until 7 p.m. to get it. Hope it is worth it!

The 7:00 PM meal is the stew meal and I think you will find it more than worth the wait. We think it is outstanding.

They will assign you to a table and then the meal is served family style - all you can eat. If I recall correctly, in addition to the stew, you will have tossed green salad, corn bread, and chocolate cake for desert. The last time I was there, you could even buy a glass of wine with your meal.

Wine is still available....red or white; $4 for a glass, $7 for a carafe.

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I was down there last fall with a work group. We stayed in the trail hands dorm down by the ranger's house. On the way to the john in the night I had a scorpion sting my instep. The thing swole up and hiking out the next day I had a blister there--first time for everything.
Pictures from that trip:

http://www.kaibab.org/fall2001/fall2001.htm