Grand Canyon Walkway

The Grand Canyon walkway is also known as the Skywalk and for good reason. This bridge is made from glass and provides you with a vertical view of the spectacular gorge. The Skywalk is shaped like a horseshoe and spans 70 feet from the edge of the rim. The bridge is a mile above the Colorado River. People who are afraid of heights may have a real problem with this bridge. When you look down, you get to see a clear view of the canyon bottom 4000 feet below.



The bridge was created by the Hualapai Indian tribe and is located on their reservation at Grand Canyon West. The grand opening of the bridge was in March of 2007 with the first people to walk on the structure the Hualapai elders and famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Although the bridge looks frightening, it is very safe. It can withstand weight equal to 71 Boeing 747 airplanes. In addition, it can hold up under 100 mph winds. It's even earthquake proof up to 8.0 on the Richter scale. Because the most dangerous part of the walk is the risk of slipping, visitors are required to wear protective shoe covers.

You are not allowed to take cameras or other personal belongings on the Skywalk. However, you can purchase photographs taken by your tour guide. The Skywalk is offered as an addition to various tourism packages sold by the reservation. These packages include things like tours through the Hualapai village, cowboy demonstrations, a petting zoo, various exhibits and shows, and more. It costs $25 to add the Skywalk to any of the available packages. This seems pricey but a walk on this amazing glass bridge is the experience of a lifetime.

One of the downsides to reaching the Skywalk is the drive you must travel to get there. The road is rough and bumpy for approximately 14 miles. If you do not want to drive your car there are various tours that go to this region. There has been some controversy associated with the bridge, as some feel it desecrates what is considered sacred ground. However supporters of the bridge feel it allows tourists to get an even more spectacular view of the canyon and helps support the positive economic development of the Hualapai tribe. If you're going to be in the area, a visit to the Grand Canyon walkway is definitely recommended.



Grand Canyon News:
Vertigo Like Whoah - Grand Canyon | hotwire
While staying in Phoenix, AZ I immediate to hire a nap and accept the inadequate except for of four hour spunkiness up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...


One year later: Uranium threat to Grand Canyon still dire despite .
A resolution to temporarily protect Grand Canyon National Park by withdrawing 1 million acres from uranium exploration, passed by Congress one year ago, has been ignored by the Bureau of Land Management, leading to an increased risk of ...

Colorado Man Rescued After Fall at Grand Canyon | NAZ Today
Grand Canyon, Ariz. EUR A 60 year-old Boulder, Colorado man was rescued this morning after he slipped and fell while hiking in the Grand Canyon. The man was climbing in a drainage off of the South Rim's popular Bright Angel Trail ...


Grand Canyon hiking: Tips on how not to have a heart attack .
If hiking the Bright Angel Trail, or any other trail that leads down into the Grand Canyon is the stuff of your dreams, be warned--it isn't the easiest thing to do. Sure, going down is fine. That path of switchbacks, often with mule pee ...


Grand Canyon Sunset III on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Grand Canyon Sunset III. . The Grand Canyon 2009 (Set). 0. The American Southwest (Pool). 0. オレンジ色 [Orange/Naranja/Orange] (Pool). 0. Tags. Click this icon to see all public photos and videos tagged with Grand Canyon Grand Canyon ...


Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon Fire Managers to .
Grand Canyon Fire Managers to Initiate Prescribed Burn on South Rim...


Chuck Bloom: Day 6 EUR The first name says it all EUR¦ GRAND
There are a few natural symbols that are unique to this nation, and first and foremost on the list, is the Grand Canyon, in northern Arizona. A place of unimaginable beauty, bordering on breathtaking, it speaks volume about our country ...


William K. Wolfrum Chronicles » Blog Archive » William K. Wolfrum .
Bill at the Grand Canyon - two natural wonders together at last. on Twitpic. Let me just say that the Grand Canyon was truly impressed with seeing me for the first time. EURWKW. This entry was posted on Saturday, June 27th, 2009 at 6:43 ...


grand canyon, arizona, USA on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I was literally on the edge taking this shot! (another 4 inches and that would have been the end of me!). This shot is almost 3D..I feel like I am actually there every time I look at it...


The dangers of the Grand Canyon | Gadling.com
According to the story, rangers at the Grand Canyon perform more rescues every year than any other park, including 300 helicopter evacuations a year. Many more are treated for exhaustion and dehydration, mostly because they come ...



Technorati Tags: , ,