Grand Canyon Skywalk

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Coordinates: 36°0′44″N 113°48′40″W / 36.01222°N 113.81111°W / 36.01222; -113.81111

Skywalk from Outside Ledge
View of the Skywalk and the surrounding canyon

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a tourist attraction along the Colorado River on the edge of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon West) in the U.S. state of Arizona. It was funded by the Hualapai Indian tribe in partnership with Chinese-American businessman David Jin.[1]

The horseshoe-shaped glass walkway stands at a 3,600 feet (1,100 m) height above the floor of the canyon, a height exceeding those of the world's tallest skyscrapers.[2] The Skywalk is not directly above the main canyon, Granite Gorge, which contains the Colorado River. Instead it extends over a side canyon and affords a view into the main canyon.[3] USGS topographic maps show the elevation at the Skywalk's location as 4,770 ft (1,450 m) and the elevation of the Colorado River in the base of the canyon as 1,160 ft (350 m), and they show that the height of the exactly vertical drop directly under the skywalk is between 500 ft (150 m) and 800 ft (240 m).[4]

Commissioned and owned by the Hualapai Indian tribe, it was unveiled March 20, 2007, and opened to the general public on March 28, 2007. It is accessed via the Grand Canyon West Airport terminal or a 120 mile (190 km) drive from Las Vegas, which includes an unpaved and bumpy 14 mile stretch which is currently being developed.

Contents

[edit] Technical achievement

The Skywalk protrudes 20 metres (66 ft) beyond the edge of the canyon. The walls and floor are built from glass 2 inches (50.8 mm) thick. The glass appears tinted on both edges; however, this is a protective cushioning for the glass. This cushioning runs along the sides and can be used as a sort of "safe zone" by nervous visitors. While the Skywalk is capable of holding 70 tons of weight (the equivalent of 800 people weighing 80 kg (176 lb) each), the permitted capacity is limited to 120 persons. Visitors are provided with shoe covers to protect them from slipping and to prevent the glass floor from being scratched. The Skywalk was built by the French company Saint-Gobain.

Construction began in March 2004. It was rolled onto the edge of the canyon on March 7, 2007, after passing several days of testing to replicate weather, strength, and endurance conditions of its final destination. The structure was built to withstand up to 100 mph (160 km/h) winds and a magnitude 8 earthquake.[3] Tuned mass dampers were used to minimize vibration from wind and pedestrians.

[edit] Cornerstone of a larger plan

According to Hualapai officials, the cost of the Skywalk was $31 million.[5] Future plans for the Grand Canyon Skywalk complex include a museum, movie theater, VIP lounge, gift shop, and several restaurants including a high-end restaurant called The Skywalk Café where visitors will be able to dine outdoors at the canyon's rim. The Skywalk is the cornerstone of a larger plan by the Hualapai tribe, which it hopes will be the catalyst for a 9,000 acres (36.42 km2) development to be called Grand Canyon West; it would open up a 100 miles (160 km) stretch along the canyon's South Rim and include hotels, restaurants, a golf course, and a cable car to ferry visitors from the canyon rim to the Colorado River, which has been previously inaccessible.[5]

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Hualapai

Opponents within the tribe view the project as disturbing sacred ground.[1] Supporters within the tribe counter that it is an opportunity to generate much-needed cash to combat serious problems that plague the small 2,000-resident reservation, including a 50% unemployment rate, widespread alcoholism, and poverty.[5] Other tribal members are happy with the Skywalk, but they have expressed concern over future over-development. They are also concerned about the potential lack of sustainability because the water used in both the development and the neighboring Grand Canyon National Park is not taken from the Colorado River but piped or trucked in from elsewhere.[5]

[edit] Environmentalists and others

People outside of the tribe, including Arizona environmental groups and former National Park officials, have expressed concern about the project's obtrusiveness in the natural environment, considering it a defacement of a national treasure. Some have suggested it is ironic that the Hualapai had argued they were the best caregivers and stewards of the Grand Canyon, and yet decided to exploit it in this way.[5] Tribal leaders counter that the 4.5 million people a year who visit the National Park portion are already overburdening an area and, further, that the tribe needs financial income. The tribe's 1 million-acre (4,000 km²) reservation attracts approximately 200,000 visitors a year and charges for rim-side weddings and stunt jumps, including one by Robbie Knievel. The tribe made a foray into opening a casino but it has not been able to generate sufficient income.[5]

[edit] Access and Protection

Access to the Skywalk can be made from Las Vegas, NV in the North or Kingman, AZ in the South, via Highway 93. Both routes converge near Diamond Bar Road. Diamond Bar Road, as at Nov 17, 2009 is under construction. It consists of 10 miles of an ungraded gravel and dirt road. Authorities may close the Skywalk when thunderstorms are within close vicinity of the Skywalk, though these occurrences are rare. In the event of rain, carpeting is installed for visitor safety that may slightly limit visibility below.

In an effort to protect the glass, the Skywalk has implemented a policy barring personal equipment (cameras, cell phones) on the Skywalk. They do provide lockers free of charge. The 46 glass floor panels reportedly have a production cost reaching $250,000 each and can be scratched or damaged by falling metal objects. Photographs are taken on the bridge via stationary installed cameras, which may be purchased later in the gift shop.[6]

[edit] Gallery

The view of the canyon next to the skywalk

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Grand Canyon glass Skywalk opens. BBC. 2007-03-20.
  2. ^ Bright, Adam M (2006-05-11). "Skywalk to offer thrilling Grand Canyon view". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/05/11/grand.canyon.skywalk/index.html?section=cnn_tech. Retrieved 2006-05-13. 
  3. ^ a b Yost, Mark. Close to the Edge, Wall Street Journal. 2007-04-10.
  4. ^ Acme mapper: USGS topographic map
  5. ^ a b c d e f Cart, Julie. Grand Canyon Skywalk opens deep divide. Los Angeles Times. 2007-02-11.
  6. ^ www.grandcanyonskywalk.com

[edit] External links

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