The Skywalk
For the bargain price of $74.95 a person can go visit the new Grand Canyon Skywalk. Now what the article doesn’t tell you is that you can’t take pictures while out on the skywalk. Nor does it list some of the restrictions such as no cell phones (they’re afraid you’ll drop it and scratch the glass) and you’ll have to wear booties over your shoes (same reason). It does mention that you’re going to have to drive on unpaved roads no matter what way you choose to drive to it.
If I were going to go, I’d be doing so to take pictures from the skywalk.
My hunch is that instead of spending the money (however many millions of dollars it actually cost) on the skywalk, roads should have been paved and the area developed so it would be easier for people to get to Grand Canyon West. If it’s rained at all, those unpaved roads will not necessarily be safe to drive on, if they actually are dry. And, how about some hotels so people who do travel all that way have somewhere to stay? Supposedly there’s more development coming by the end of the year, but so far, ground has not been broken.
I feel for the Hualapai tribe. They’re fighting to save their way of life. They believe it’s worth more than the asking price to walk out on see the view. Of course, they have a lot riding on people agreeing with them and flocking to the skywalk.
Oh yeah, one more thing? The skywalk isn’t actually over the main gorge, it’s over a canyon to the side.
There’s no way in hell I’d go out on that thing…lol
Oh wow, I didn’t know about all those restrictions! That is crazy! I’ve got a pretty bad fear of heights, so that would not be something I would go out on either.
aha. interesting!
no cellphones? that’s crazy?!
Even with the restrictions I think I’d like to go…in fact I just would like to visit the Grand Canyon!
Thanks for the information. I didn’t know about all these restrictions you mentioned. They should’ve just kept the place as-is without the man-made structure.
Avoid this tourist trap! 1. The site is not ready, evidenced by total disorganization from start to finish. 2. The cost was too much for the value-$346 for a family of five (three young kids) 3. The road up is 12 miles of HELL. Wash pan for 12 miles and it is going to get worse before it gets better. Add and extra 1 1/2 hours for this 24 mile gem. Everyone wants tips, from the ladies who swipe your credit card (tip jar out) to an Indian chief who stands by the bus as you get back on with his tip basket. (I expect this in Vegas-like a Elivis guy who will let you take a photo with him for tips, but not here.)
5. The whole site plan is horrible, for example the tour buses are too big to make a turn at the sky walk-so they make a K turn rolling down toward the canyon!!! (Also, there are no guard railsbetween you and the edge of the canyon. Scary! Tip Basket on bus) 6. NO Camera’s on SKYWALK ALLOWED!. They don’t want you to drop them and damage the canyon!!! They are planning, eventually, to have someone take photo’s of you (like a cruise ship and of course you can buy those!) 7 . They will serve you a FREE lunch with paper plates, napkins and cup which in 20 minutes I watch several blow down into canyon-so much for protectiong the sacred land!! (tip basket included here also) Avoid!! Avoid! Avoid! We were disappointed and feel taken. We do, however strongly recommend visiting the Grand Canyon National Park.
Pardon my cynicism, but this is another tribe selling out to the “white way”. No camaras on the skywalk but thousands of people driving across the land is OK? More development is OK? Let the tourists keep to the Park with it’s nice paved roads and all the things a good tourist could want and leave the quiet areas just the way they are. The thought of that land being ruined makes me kind of ill.