Grand Canyon Skywalk Opens March 28

The whole idea scares the crap out of my acrophobic butt. Then again acrophobia is what made me get into rigging, climbing and eventual high angle rescue.

So eventually I'll go, of course. With fresh undies.

Ed

Ed, just save the fresh undies until after you've gone out on the danged thing.

Me, I would only go on it if it were basically free and I already happened to be on the Hualapai Res. I completely agree with post #7. Still, the "build it and they will come" philosophy holds some water, insipid as that water may be. How long until they have a casino next to the Skywalk? Or is there one there already? And will they call they call the casino Skywalker ?

Many people on my tour bus ask about this skywalk - they come to the park ( most of them never did their homework ) expecting to find it. ) I'll have to go out fo a look after it opens, I might pay up to $50, but if it was over that they can go shove it.
Yes, the illustrious Mr. Willysnout took me to dinner at El Tovat in February of last year and we had a fine old time. I'm waiting for him to return and I will cook him dinner under the ponderosas.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Its not that the views from West Rim aren't panoramic, I'm sure they are - but in fairness I haven't stood on the actual touist viewpoints, although I know the general area pretty well. Its that the far western Grand Canyon is MUCH less colorful and the geography of the canyons MUCH less intricate than the main part of the park, and thats a fact. There's geologic reasons for this that I won't get into, but that's how it is. Based on my experience from the river, air and on the rims/in canyons nearby to the West Rim, that area simply isn't as good. So while the views may be equally panoramic, the panorama will be second-rate compared to the south rim. That said, it is still the GC and its still incredibly impressive, if a notch below the best.<hr></blockquote>
After I made my post #6 I realized that I had written it wrong. I meant to say something much like you did. But I'm handicapped by not having been there. I do seem to recall that on the approach to the North Rim seeing some side canyons that weren't particularly colorful. Maybe the West Rim is looking into what is effectively a side canyon? I know it's still the main gorge, but maybe it's geologically similar to those side canyons? Just a guess.

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr>Many people on my tour bus ask about this skywalk - they come to the park ( most of them never did their homework ) expecting to find it.<hr></blockquote>I think you should tell them all to go straight to the Skywalk, and skip the boring old South Rim ... leaving if less crowded, for people who eschew such man-made things. While you're at, pull down El Tovar and all those ugly structures right on the rim as well, and build some decent, modest accommodation well back in the bush. Thank you - it would make it a much better experience.

Am not so keen on walking over the canyon. Especially when the skywalk has other fat Americans on it.

They've already tried a casino out there. No dice, so to speak. I do sympathize with the Hualapais trying to make what they can of their reservation. That doesn't entitle them to my money though. If the skywalk lures the hordes from Las Vegas, thats great. Maybe eventually a respectable tourist infrastructure will be built up around it and the west rim will become a legitimate destination, which will be great for everyone involved. But if someone asks me "west rim or south rim?", my advice will be the same with or without skywalk. Oh, and I doubt its funded by BIA, they don't do that sort of thing. I'm sure its financially backed by some international investment group who cooked up the idea and will pay the tribe some sort of royalty.

Geology lesson for Willy: On the approach to the north rim you only ever get to see the uppermost layers, which are never all that colorful anyway, and when you look over the rim you hardly notice them for the surrounding spectacle. The geological strata change as you go west, almost imperceptibly but the changes become obvious when you start getting close to Lake Mead. In western Grand Canyon, the strata are much more dominated by grayish limestones than to the east. Its not that there's no color, its just not as pronounced and vibrant as further east. Also, the geography of the canyon is simpler in area of GC West- theres not as many buttes and temples within the canyon, so its not quite as visually dynamic. Still, it is the Grand Canyon and its surely plenty spectacular. Well, not quite enough to get me to drive all the way the hell out there and pay $75.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Its not that the views from West Rim aren't panoramic, I'm sure they are - but in fairness I haven't stood on the actual touist viewpoints, although I know the general area pretty well. Its that the far western Grand Canyon is MUCH less colorful and the geography of the canyons MUCH less intricate than the main part of the park, and thats a fact. There's geologic reasons for this that I won't get into, but that's how it is. Based on my experience from the river, air and on the rims/in canyons nearby to the West Rim, that area simply isn't as good.<hr></blockquote>

I agree when you are speaking of the points you drive to, but some areas in that section are incredibly scenic if you get out and hike. The best parts just can't be seen from a vehicle, so some people have the idea that it is less spectacular.

Unfortuantely, in recent years the Hualapais have effectively closed most places to hiking and canyoneering. Before they did however, National Canyon (in this same West area) was known as one of the most beautiful, perhaps even the most beautiful and spectacular place in the Grand Canyon. River Runners still visit the lower gorge of National. It's a beautiful, colorful, and very deep narrow canyon laced with waterfalls.

They must be paying our newspaper to do updates, another cover story about this. There's also a video of the skywalk here:
video

There have also been all kinds of stories on our news here. Guess they want to create a buzz among Arizona residents, who will tell family/friends in other places. Many people who live here have never even been to the Grand Canyon.

Skywalk marks a new era
Hualapai Tribe hopes Canyon platform will boost tourism
John Stanley and Stephanie Paterik
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 7, 2007 08:17 PM

HUALAPAI RESERVATION - After months of delays, the Hualapai Tribe's innovative Grand Canyon Skywalk observation platform rolled out over the Canyon rim Wednesday, inaugurating what tribal leaders hope will be a new era in tourism and prosperity. Visitors will be able to walk out on the platform and look several thousand feet down through a glass floor into the Canyon.

The Skywalk, the brainchild of Las Vegas entrepreneur and tour operator David Jin, is a million-pound horseshoe of steel and glass that will extend some 70 feet over the rim.

Wednesday's rollout began at 10:47 a.m. and crept forward at an almost imperceptible pace, averaging less than a foot a minute. At 12:08 p.m., construction workers verified its position and began welding it into place. Approximately half the structure is anchored to the rock, providing a counterweight to the portion over the abyss, according to construction manager Manuel Mojicar.

"It's done," he said. "Now we just need to do the final adjustments and welding."

Emmett Bender, a Hualapai medicine man, shook a gourd rattle and chanted blessings before the rollout began, while the sweet smell of burning sage wafted through the air. Tribal officials, construction workers, journalists from around the world and a few tourists watched as the terra-cotta-colored slab of glass and steel inched forward.

"This is going to benefit the Hualapai Nation," said Robert Bravo Jr., operations manager of Grand Canyon West and tribal member. "This is going to put food on our tables."

Bravo hopes the attraction will boost tourism from around 300,000 annually to 600,000 this year, and bring in as many as a million visitors in 2008.

Tribal member Don Havatone, wearing a feathered headdress, works as a tour guide at Grand Canyon West.

"One of the purposes of developing the Skywalk is to create economic opportunities for tribal members. This is a way to build something for ourselves and our kids," he said.

Like other tribes in the region, the Hualapai consider themselves to be part of the scattered group of indigenous people know as the "Pai." The reservation, which was created in 1883, covers more than a million acres and extends more than 100 miles along the Colorado River. Its capital is in Peach Springs.

There are about 2,200 Hualapai, about 70 percent of whom live on the reservation. Tribal officials have said unemployment ranges from 20 percent to 70 percent, depending on the season.

Still, the tribe is far from unanimous in its support of the project.

"There are some that like it, some that don't," said tribal member Ann Fielding. "It's their own personal feeling. I think it's good."

So does Casey Walema, who makes and sells silver jewelry.

"A lot of people don't know about us," he said, "and this will help bring a lot of tourists. I hope it will bring a big increase in income, especially for the youth. At first, many (tribal members) didn't want our land commercialized, but most agree now that it's a good thing."

His sister, Leatrice Walema, who also sells jewelry, isn't so sure.

"Our ancestors roamed this land before us. This is holy ground," she said. "Most of our elders disapprove of this, but the council members approved it before the community voted on it. It was hidden (from us). David Jin is trying to control everything. This should never have been done."

Jin was there for the rollout but declined to talk to the media.

If all goes as planned, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin will help dedicate the structure along with tribal officials on March 20. The Skywalk is slated to open to the public on March 28.

For $74.95, visitors can walk out onto the platform. The interior of the walkway is about eight feet wide, but only the central four feet are glass, according to Bravo. There is a two-foot wide opaque "sidewalk" on either side of the transparent middle section, for those who feel uncomfortable walking on glass.

"But you're still out over the Canyon," Bravo said with a grin.

Mojicar said the project was very conservatively engineered. His company, Executive Construction Management of Las Vegas, took over late last year after the first contractor, Apco Construction of Las Vegas, left in October over concerns about liability.

"I would walk on it now," he said.

The Skywalk is at Eagle Point, a five-minute bus ride from Grand Canyon West. Future plans include construction of a tri-level, 6,000-square-foot visitor center with museum, movie theater, restaurants, lounges and bars, as well as a gift shop. A spokesperson for the project said it is scheduled to be completed by December.

The Skywalk was designed by M.R.J. Architects, with glass for the structure provided by Saint-Gobain, a German company.

Jin and his silent investors have bankrolled the $30 million project. For a time, which neither Jin nor tribal officials have specified, Jin will receive 25 percent of revenues generated, and the Hualapai tribe will receive 75 percent. Eventually the tribe will receive 100 percent of the Skywalk revenue.

Jin immigrated to Las Vegas from Shanghai in 1988. He owns several tour companies, the main one being Oriental Tours & Travel. He got the idea for a Skywalk in 1996 and signed an agreement with the tribe in 2004. Since then, thousands of articles have been written about the project, fascinating potential visitors from all over the world.

Yet difficulties remain.

To drive to the site, you must traverse 14 miles of heavily wash-boarded dirt road. There is limited water, power and telephone service, and most lodging is more than 50 miles away.

Also, because the Skywalk is on tribal land, it is not subject to U.S. government inspection requirements and any legal disputes, such as liability claims, would be settled by the Tribal Court.

Yet despite lingering questions, the Skywalk is an audacious piece of engineering, certain to attract attention.

The Hualapais hope it also will attract visitors.

"This is the Grand Canyon," said Bravo, "one of the wonders of the world. Now is the time for visitors to come out and experience it with us."

We'll be at the Grand Canyon South Rim next week. We are driving from Las Vegas. We would like to see the Skywalk itself (we know its not open so we can't go out on it but we (the two engineers in the group) just want to see the structure).
Does anyone have an idea how much time and difficulty would be invoved in adding a side trip to Grand Canyon West on the way back to Las Vegas from Grand Canyon South?