Categories: TRAVEL

The Skywalk at Grand Canyon’s Eagle Point

As if the Grand Canyon isn’t a big enough tourist attraction, the Hualapai nation has built a glass U-shaped bridge at eagle point. Its suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. A 15-second free fall to the bottom. I have never seen anything like it. Nor am I sure that I would walk on it. 94 steel rods bore 46 feet into the limestone rock holding the glass horseshoe at the edge of the cliff. Making it able to support 70 tons of weight, that is equal to 700 fat men. I guess they do not feel like testing that since the maximum occupancy is only 120 people. It is supposed to be able to withstand an 8.0 earthquake and winds over 100 mph. The wind gets blowing up there, up to 90 mph vertical winds whipping with tornado-like forces. Enduring conditions like no other “bridge” anywhere. You will be walking on three-inch-thick, heat-strengthened glass, to me that is the scariest part, being able to see through what your feet are standing on. It will be enclosed with five-foot tall glass walls, I think it should be taller, you know people are going to throw stuff over it. That is why they do not allow “personal items” on the skywalk. You have to store your stuff in lockers they provide. You cannot even take a camera, you can take pictures of the skywalk from the side, and they will sell you one they take for you. I understand they do not want the glass scratched but that is ridiculous.

They could tell me a million times I won’t fall but I still don’t believe it. The fact that an insurance company has yet to sign on makes me worry too. However, I cannot argue with the fact that you get a great view.

The skywalk’s construction began in March of 2004, it was completed early in 2007, in March it is open for business. The Hualapai Nation is hoping that gets a lot of business. Since they have to pay for it construction (30-million-dollars). It is expected to cost 25.00 per person. It cost much more money then going to the National park about 200 miles away on the east side of the Grand Canyon. The website for the skywalk does not specify if you can just visit the skywalk without having to buy a “tour package”, I do not think you can. The cheapest tour package is 74.95 per person. Something that they may not fix is there is a 14 mile drive on an unpaved road from the main center and the skywalk; you can get a ride from them. The cost will be added to your package.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, got to be the first to walk out on the skywalk when it opened in March 2007, at least he got to do one thing first.

Some people says it will be an eyesore, I somewhat agree. With how much it is going to cost to see it, I don’t think many visitors come.

And with it being on a tribal land, that brings up a whole other bunch of issues. Like are they selling out? They were doing the tours thing before this but this wasn’t their idea. A businessman from Las Vages, David Jin, is putting up the money to build it. They should just open a casino like every other tribe. Since it is on tribal land, they don’t have to fallow certain laws, when it was being built they only had it inspected because they wanted to they legally didn’t have too. So, what if, “they” are driving you to the skywalk on the unpaved road and wreck. Injuring you, and it was clearly the drivers fault, let’s say they were going to fast. Do they have to pay you for your injuries, as if you were not of tribal land? If you have to sue, don’t you have through the tribal courts? I know that it’s not likely to happen but what if. I want more input. If you have gone and walked on it, please tell us about it. I would love to hear what it was like.