Crystal Creek, Grand Canyon Colorado River

Crystal Creek or Phantom Creek in the Grand Canyon National Park is a tiny tributary that feeds the Colorado River during wetter months. It provides an adventure into the backcountry that can only be done when there have been heavy rains, as the creek dries up, remaining undetectable when the waters disappear.

The uncanny thing about the Grand Canyon National Park is its ever-changing weather, which has created a phenomena found in very few places on the planet – disappearing and reappearing creek beds. One of the most famous is Crystal Creek (Phantom Creek) which fuels the Colorado River during rainy periods, and then quickly vanishes from sight.

Some hikers who have seen this mysterious creek, recommend taking a hike during the spring, when the rains are still prevalent. The other option is to head towards the western part of the park, where the Supai Spring bubbles year round, feeding the famous Dragon Spring and thus when overflowing, creates the creek.

The amazing part about the connection with the springs is that most visitors have found they can clearly hear their sound long before they reach them. When the waters are high and the creek appears, this quiet bubbling sound develops into a roar, and it is easier to follow the flow of water and rediscover the creek when most simply just give up.

Other times to find the creek are during September and October. In fact, many visitors are surprised by the warm waters when trying to cool off from the final heat waves of summer.