Haunted Canyon - Grand Canyon • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Apr 22 2022
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Backpack	34.00 Miles	12,800 AEG

Backpack	34.00 Miles
	12,800 ft AEG

no routes

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BiFrost

RedwallNHops

A group of six of us backpacked into Upper Phantom Canyon to knock out a couple of summits, Buddha and Schellbach Butte. I had already climbed Buddha, so I opted for Schellbach Butte and a long overdue exploration of Haunted Canyon. Karl joined me and everyone else headed for Buddha.

Our hike into Upper Phantom Friday was windy at times, but the dramatic clouds made for some nice scenery and it never got too cold. We had to retreat to our tents and tarps for a brief period at camp due to a quick moving storm, but that was the worst of the weather we would face for the first day and trip.

We left camp just after 5:15 a.m. in the morning on the second day. We all traveled together to the top of the redwall break and the Schellbach saddle. From there, four went to Buddha, two went to Schellbach. There is a small cliff band to negotiate on Schellbach's north end, but nothing there is harder than what you encounter on the approach. Navigating to the summit was straightforward and easy, which made me appreciative that I was not making the traverse over to Buddha, which towered over us. Schellbach does not pack much in prominence, but the views it offers are stunning. We enjoyed the views for several minutes and refueled for the tedious descent back to Phantom.

Once we got back to Phantom, we headed upstream to Haunted Canyon. There is a well cairn-ed route going upstream that is worth taking a minute to find, as travel in the stream bed was a little slow going. We hiked up to the robust source of the creek and then explored some ruins that I had remembered seeing pictures of years ago. The source of Haunted Creek was pretty cool, as was the nice grove of cottonwoods that congregated around it. The ruins were intriguing, but hard to get to and inaccessible beyond the base of its wall, as they sat perched at the opening of a cave, high on a ledge with the opening of the cave walled in by a short wall. An intriguing site for sure. We returned the way we came. Our trip up Schellbach and Haunted Canyon ended up making for a long day and we got back at 5:30 p.m., to begin our patient wait for the Buddha crowd.

I got an early start on the final day and topped out on South Kaibab at nearly 11:00 a.m. on the dot. Perfect temps and conditions for the hike out and I felt stronger than usual, having not participated in any suffer fest the day prior.

Its always a treat up there. Tough to beat a three-day weekend of summits and drawing new lines on the map in the Grand Canyon backcountry.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Haunted Canyon Phantom Creek Schellbach Butte

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2 archives

Apr 22 2022

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Apr 22 2022
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Backpack	34.00 Miles	12,900 AEG

Backpack	34.00 Miles	3 Days
	12,900 ft AEG

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FOTG

RedwallNHops

Another summit trip into Grand Canyon. Joel had the permit and offered me a spot which I happily accepted. We met in Flagstaff the night before to coordinate and a few brews. Next morning it was off to South Kaibab Trail around 8am start time.

Down South Kaibab to the start of Utah Flats Route and our access to Phantom Creek. Dropping into Phantom Creek we setup camp. Two of our group arrived about an hour later to round out the 6 in our group. Good night around camp and discussed the next days game plan. Decided 515am start time was best as we had one group of 4 doing Buddha Temple and myself and Lee doing Schellbach Butte.

Next morning, we were off first hopping a ridge between Phantom Creek and Sturdevant Canyon which would be the approach for both summits. The canyon was fun especially as it cuts up and through the Red wall section. Eventually it tops out in the Supai and a saddle between Buddha and Schellbach. At this point the Buddha group foursome of Joel, Shelly, Pernell and Mel headed off for their big day. Lee and I headed for Schellbach Butte.

Nothing too difficult out to Schellbach other than one Supai block to navigate. As for summits Schellbach is not much in prominence but makes up for in views. It was also Lee’s 50th GC summit!! Wedged between the towering Buddha and Isis just across the way to the west it has a good 360 to enjoy. We spent about 40 minutes on the summit before heading back to the saddle.

We exited the same way as the approach and back over the ridge to Phantom Creek. Then up Phantom to Haunted Canyon confluence. In Haunted Canyon we found a use trail with cairned route that was somewhat easy to follow. It runs above the creek and stays out of the brush which made travel much faster. We made it to the spring source of Haunted Canyon and robust one for sure.

There was some ruins Lee wanted to check as well just above the spring area. They were difficult to access but we made it to the base. Great view of the spring area below and whole length of Haunted Canyon. We headed back down and exited on the same use trail back to Phantom Creek.

Back at camp by 530 we waited for the others to return. Unfortunately for them it was not until 9pm but they did successfully summit Buddha. Of course, very tired everyone was happy to be back at camp and eat/rest.

Next morning after yesterday’s long day it was not an early start. Eventually packed up and headed back out Utah Flats Route with quick stop at cantina to fuel up for the hike out. Great trip in the canyon and everyone got a summit!!

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Buddha Temple Haunted Canyon Isis Temple Phantom Creek

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2 archives

May 06 2016

Hippy

Guides 8
Routes 12
Photos 1,918
Triplogs 662

39 female

Joined Dec 02 2009
Grand Canyon

Cheops Pyramid 5206

Cheops Pyramid 5206

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		May 06 2016
		Hippy • Triplogs 662

Backpack	35.00 Miles

Backpack	35.00 Miles	6 Days

no routes

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Phantom Canyon - Lower

Bright Angel Trail

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none

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6 days of awesome just happened.

Jamie and I headed down SK bright and early May 1st...around noon-thirty really

We ambled down to Phantom Ranch with dreams of lemonade and tecate...of which we got none. Wah ={

So after being lazy bums all day we headed up Utah Flats with 4L each of Agua. We camped as far across UF as possible and settled in with the setting sun.

The Morning of May 2nd we left camp kinda early-ish and headed west then south with the Cheops horn or pyramid dancing in our minds.
The "route" was fairly simple, "just head thataway!". So we did. Lots and LOTS of cactus, Mmmmmm...we rounded the South tip of Cheops and slowly began our ascent.

For some strange reason my mind decided to become acrophobic right as we reached the foot of he Redwall... wtf?! So I sat and talked myself out of being a wimp and up we went.

It was a BREEZE. I really did laugh at myself on the summit. *shrug*
It's all 3rd class, no climbing necessary except a few spots where, yeah, you're using your hands to find handholds and feet to find feetholds.

Left our names in the register.
(It was minty fresh! Also, Hi JJ3 and JoeyB!)

The way down and back was a cactusy cake walk. We tore down camp and continued on down to Phantom Creek where we settled into that sweet Campsite just upstream from Phantom Falls.
(On a side note, we had thought of doing lower Phantom but that knotted fix rope there gave me the heebyjeebys and we only had a short bit of webbing... Next time?!)

We explored up Haunted Cyn a ways, my left foot was getting a hotspot so I headed back early and waited for Jamie at the Overhang.

There was much rejoicing at the pools upstream from our campsite. So. Many. Frogs!!
That was the highlight of my evenings was the chorus of amphibious delight that echoed across the canyon walls!

Spotted some neat Footprints, possibly hognosed skunk.
I spent the next two days in my birthday suit along the Creek while Jamie explored all he wanted.

Base camping in the GC by a Creek is awesome, just awesome.

May 6th we crawled out of bags, tore down camp, and headed up that lovely route out of Phantom Creek, passed below Cheops, crossed Utah Flats, said hello to some mule deer, slid down UF Route and we're fat and happy at Phantom around 10:30am...and there we stayed with Lemonade and Tecate happy as can be until we decided... Noon is late enough.

Then out we trotted commenting on the weather and the Buttes lit up by the sun as we went.

6 days of awesome just happened...and now...the North Rim calls to us!
I'll be spending June-September over there doing dayhikes and such for Grand Canyon Association, so if you're ever up there feel free to say hi!

Until next time...you stay classy Arizona.

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Canyon Freak Adventures!

Nov 29 2015

Dave1

Routes 29
Photos 1,548
Triplogs 1,802

49 male

Joined Jan 25 2009
Phoenix, AZ

Isis - Cheops Saddle Route

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Nov 29 2015
		Dave1 • Triplogs 1,802

Backpack	38.00 Miles	11,308 AEG

Backpack	38.00 Miles	3 Days
	11,308 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

7 linked trail guides

River Trail - Grand Canyon

Bright Angel Trail

North Kaibab Trail

Rim Trail - GC South Rim

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none

no partners

Had a few things I wanted to accomplish for this trip: check out the cave that JJ found below a certain temple that I don't want to name online and be put on some government list, find a rare agave (agave phillipsiana) found in Phantom Canyon and just 3 other places in GCNP, finish off the River Trail (I had never done the section between the bridges), check out a ruin in the area that I had just read about, and, if I had enough time, climb up to Cheops Pyramid. Happily I was able to check off 4 out of the five.

Went down BA trail the first day and stayed at BA campground. The nights are long in the canyon this time of year and I was asleep by 6pm

Thankfully my noisey neighbors made sure I didn't get too much sleep. Next day went up to Utah Flats and then explored around Phantom and Haunted Canyons. Spent a cold night (21 degrees) below Cheops. Hiked out on the 3rd day.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Grand Canyon Century Plant

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mule Deer

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Old Rusty Stuff

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2 archives

Apr 09 2011

nonot

Guides 107
Routes 249
Photos 2,067
Triplogs 514

male

Joined Nov 18 2005
Phoenix, AZ

7 Days Wandering Around in the Big Ditch, AZ

Backpack		Apr 09 2011
		nonot • Triplogs 514

Backpack	65.00 Miles	14,000 AEG

Backpack	65.00 Miles	7 Days
	14,000 ft AEG		40 LBS Pack

Linked

10 linked trail guides

Bright Angel Trail

Plateau Point

Tonto Trail: South Kaibab to Bright Angel

Isis - Cheops Saddle Route

Phantom Canyon - Shiva Exit Route

Trinity Canyon Complex - Grand Canyon

Partners

none

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Bright Angel to Indian Garden - Plateau Point - Tonto Trail from Indian Garden to Cremation - to South Kaibob Trail and down to Phantom - Utah Flats - Haunted Canyon - Upper Phantom - Climbing Exit to Isis-Shiva - Down Trinity - Trinity West Arm - Trinity to Isis-Cheops - Utah Flats to Phantom - out Bright Angel Trail.

Since almost all of these trails are not on HAZ yet, I will probably end up writing a few pages on some of these areas. It was an interesting way to spend 7 days, in which I went 5 days without seeing a soul. Some parts were better than expected, others went as planned, and some were a bit of a let down. But to get away from everything for a week and not have to think about much other than the basics was a refresher I needed.

This trip is fairly remote and a few parts of this trip are a bit dangerous. I'd recommend that this type of trip only be considered by people who have a good deal of experience under their belt. This covers about all terrain between class 1 and class 4 YDS.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Boxelder Cottonwood

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Geodes Muav Limestone Natural Arch Redwall Limestone

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Burro Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Swampy area. There was water, but I wouldn't call it filterable.

	Haunted Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	I estimated 4800 gpm, the flow was incredible and powerful from where it emerged. Even at its very source, it was a bit turbid, probably because the flow was so powerful.

	Hippie Spring North	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Seeping out from under a rock to the north of the creek, I'd estimate about 2 gpm.

	Hippie Spring South	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Wow, this spring rivals fossil creek, it was pumping out crystal clear, great tasting water at a thousand gpm.

	Pipe Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Creek flowing @ Tonto intersection about a 10 gpm

	Trinity Seep	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	Water was seeping out at a decent rate in several spots here, but it tasted awful even though it was very clear and sand filtered. I'd suggest you bring some type of gatorade mix or something similar to mask the taste.

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Apr 14 2007

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona