Grand Canyon Skywalk

Status: Real
image My wife emailed me this image, wondering if it was real. Yes, it's real. I think it's been circulating around for a while. It's one of those once-in-a-blue-moon kind of emails in which all the information is actually correct:

New Grand Canyon Sky walk
* Scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2006 Hualapai Indian Reservation
* Juts about 70 feet into the canyon, 4000 ft above the Colorado River
* Will accommodate 120 people comfortably
* Built with more than a million pounds of steel beams, and includes dampeners that minimize the structure's vibration.
* Designed to hold 72 million pounds, withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake 50 miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 mph
* The walkway has a glass bottom and sides...four inches thick


A hi-res version of the image (which is a drawing, not a photograph) can be found at destinationgrandcanyon.com. I'm not sure I could go on this skywalk. I don't consider myself afraid of heights, but the last time I was at the Grand Canyon I had a lot of trouble getting too close to the edge without feeling sick to my stomach.

Places

Posted on Thu Nov 03, 2005



Comments

If it is real you would not catch me up there!.
Posted by Iridium  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  12:53 AM
Well, I'd do it. Not actually any more dangerous then walking over a bridge, if the architecture is done right. I'm sure native americans have to pass code too, right?
Posted by Citizen Premier  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  05:35 AM
And of course the image isn't actually real (viewing it large demonstrates that) but is just an example of what they're building.
Posted by Citizen Premier  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  05:36 AM
Designed to hold 72 "million" pounds? Must be a misprint.
Posted by Captain Al  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  09:39 AM
It's ironic that the Hualapai say they are trying to show people the "untouched beauty" of their part of the canyon, and to do so they are going to deface it with this eyesore!

If it looks anything like the drawing, you won't catch me on that thing, either. It may be perfectly safe, but it would scare the bejabbers out of me.

Citizen Premier, if this is reservation land, there may not be any building codes at all in force. Even in (non-reservation) unincorporated areas of most states, there are no building codes to speak of. And Native American tribal governments are free of most state and federal regulations. That's why a lot of corporations are trying to locate some of the dirtiest industries, like nuclear materials processing and toxic waste dumps, on reservations.
Posted by Big Gary, retreating faster  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  11:13 AM
Hey grand canyon! can you hear me under all those law suits? man, one guy thinks it's funny to bring a baseball bat and beat the glass till it cracks it all falls down, and what if it isn't sturdy enough?

My question is, how do they build something like that without killing anybody?
Posted by Blood For Nothing  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  12:51 PM
Captain Al, you're right. How could it hold 72 million pounds? That would be like the weight of half a million people. That's absurd. But if it's a misprint, then many papers have reproduced the misprint.
Posted by The Curator  in  San Diego  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  12:56 PM
"... man, one guy thinks it's funny to bring a baseball bat and beat the glass till it cracks ..."

If that glass is really four inches thick, you'd need more like a jackhammer to break it.

But if the bottom of the walkway is glass, won't people be slipping and sliding all over it (especially on rainy days and dewy mornings)?
You could roughen up the glass, of course, or stick rubber treads to it or whatever, but then it wouldn't be transparent anymore, so why bother using glass in the first place?
Posted by Big Gary in Utopia  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  04:37 PM
I work in the bridge industry and have saw the designs for this a few months back. I'm also scared to death of heights but I would go on this without hesitation. If anything, they have over-built it and spent a lot more money than necessary.
Posted by Craig  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  05:52 PM
have seen

😖
Posted by Craig  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  05:59 PM
You know, I get the same feeling standing right on the edge of the falls, a couple of feet away (if that) bye the railing. I love Niagra, but it freaks me the fark out!
Posted by Angie  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  07:13 PM
Not a chance. Even if it is built super well, you wouldn't catch me on it.
Posted by Winona  on  Fri Nov 04, 2005  at  11:57 PM
* Designed to hold 72 million pounds, withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake 50 miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 mph

It seems weird that it could hold 72 million lbs but if there were an earthquake it would only withstand an 8.0. Well, I would figure that 72 million lbs should be equal to a 9.5 or more.
????I don't know.
Posted by Beauty  on  Sat Nov 05, 2005  at  01:02 AM
I'm worried that Alex's wife had to e-mail it to him. Aren't they speaking? Or is it just that she couldn't wait till he got home?
Posted by Mr Henderson  on  Sat Nov 05, 2005  at  09:03 AM
Maybe Mrs. Alex is on a business trip somewhere.
Posted by Big Gary, a little dizzy at this height  on  Sat Nov 05, 2005  at  11:02 AM
This is such a terrible idea (and I'm not just saying this because I'd be shitting my pants if I ever walked on that thing). Why not just build a friggin' hotel on top of Mount Everest while you're at it??
Posted by Elizabeth  on  Sun Nov 06, 2005  at  08:03 PM
I found another link to info about it, and supposedly they're supposed to be charging the visitors $25 to go on it. Seems a bit steep to have your willie scared off.
Posted by Winona  on  Mon Nov 07, 2005  at  10:59 AM
Well, four inches of glass is *VERY* durable, especially if the panels are small. Square surface area, etc. One inch is used on armored cars. Two inches would be enough to support a dance club comfortably. Three is nigh-indestructable. I'd have no problem walking on four inches, even above a giant canyon.

Mind, I wouldn't want to be the *first*...

Besides, then you can always make fun of your mother for saying "If your friends walked off a cliff..."
Posted by Robin Bobcat  on  Mon Nov 07, 2005  at  11:35 PM
Mr. Henderson, my wife was the one at work. I was sitting at home.
Posted by The Curator  in  San Diego  on  Fri Nov 18, 2005  at  08:44 AM
This looks awsome. Why not see the canyon from a birds eye view. Everyone thats talking it down are just a bunch of pussies and complainers. 😜
Posted by Gab  on  Mon Dec 05, 2005  at  02:21 PM
I am going to this part of the canyon this weekend. If this thing is there and open I will be taking the walk.
Posted by Nate  on  Thu Dec 29, 2005  at  11:26 AM
Oh My Gosh......This thing is AWESOME !!! I can't wait 'til I can walk out on this thing. I just called them this morning 12-30-05 and they said that it it wouldn't be open until late 2006. I wonder if they allow parachutes? 🐛
Posted by David C.  on  Fri Dec 30, 2005  at  10:43 AM
so disappointed to hear sky walk not open yet. will be in nevada in feb and was really looking forward to "the walk"
Posted by Susan S  on  Sat Jan 07, 2006  at  05:34 AM
wierd that almost a month after the walk was supposed to order, there are still NO pictures of it other than the artists renderings.

I was planning a trip out to the Grand Canyon for this summer, and someone suggested that this project might have gotten stalled somehow.

Has ANYONE actually seen ths thing??
Posted by Katy  on  Sat Jan 28, 2006  at  05:25 PM
Like many projects of this magnitude the Skywalk is making slow progress.The glass flooring will be just under 3" thick. Each floor panel will be 48" x 100".The side glass will be 1" Thick. Like any public project the skywalk is being built with a safety factor of 4.
Posted by Tom  on  Thu Feb 09, 2006  at  10:55 PM
I don't like heights but just want to go see this dang thing.. It would scare the be-jesus out of me thats for sure
Posted by nancy  on  Mon Feb 20, 2006  at  01:00 PM
Sure wish it was open before this summer though. :(

We are looking at other options, overlooks, etc, but nothing even close to this.

Well, Havasu Falls sounded cool, but the 10 mile hike EACH WAY was a bit of a turn off.

Guess it is the Grand Canyon Railroad for us.
Posted by Katy  on  Tue Feb 21, 2006  at  03:55 PM
Why isn't there a real photo of the walkway? Is this thing for real? And if it is, can they really charge $25.00 per person to walk on it? How ridiculous....The Grand Canyon is spectacular enough. What about bird poop? Who wants to clean that? And how will they clean the underside of the glass? YIKES!!
Posted by Kirsten  on  Thu Feb 23, 2006  at  04:40 PM
Maybe the $25.00 IS for cleaning the bird poop? lol :roll:
Posted by nancy  on  Thu Feb 23, 2006  at  04:49 PM
Kristen, there's no photo of it because it hasn't been finished yet. If you check the site that has been linked to in the main post, you'll see that it's not scheduled to open until the end of the year.
Posted by Smerk  on  Thu Feb 23, 2006  at  05:04 PM
I can't believe anyone would complain about this.

Sheesh! It's great!

"Eyesore" someone called it. Yeah, like the "eyesore" Statue of Liberty befouling the "natural beauty" of the harbor.

Yeah, this is "stupid"- gimme a break it's a fantastic idea. If you're too chicken to walk on it because you're afraid, don't. But refrain from insulting those that do, or those that built it, Puh-leeeze.
Posted by SoxSweepAgain  on  Wed Jul 05, 2006  at  09:39 AM
I'll be on it the first week in April.
Posted by Elden Slade  on  Sun Dec 03, 2006  at  12:22 AM
I wonder if any progress has been made on this since last year?

Has anyone ACTUALLY seen it?
Posted by Katy  on  Sun Dec 03, 2006  at  11:54 AM
Maybe Mr. Trump or Mr. Wynn should also develop a hotel/casino and spa right at the rim. And while their at it the place will need to be
Posted by mike  on  Wed Dec 06, 2006  at  12:57 PM
I'll walk on this thing. When will it be open?
Posted by Ed  on  Thu Dec 14, 2006  at  09:42 AM
Didn't someone say before, too, that the Titanic was unsinkable. Would NOT walk, crawl, run or anything across the thing myself.
Posted by Me  on  Tue Mar 20, 2007  at  03:01 PM
It offically opened today. You won't see my azz on that thing.......LOL
Posted by Nancy Moore  on  Tue Mar 20, 2007  at  03:11 PM
I wonder if the Indian resavation will get any benifits from the tourist money??
Posted by BOB  on  Wed Mar 21, 2007  at  11:18 AM
I cannnot wait to walk on air this June.
Posted by Travis  on  Thu Mar 29, 2007  at  01:51 PM
Actually it is very real!~ My husband and I live in Northern Arizona and we took a trip to the Skywalk last weekend. It is expensive 163.00 but nothing you may ever see again! I went for my hubby really, he loves the thrill! But me, I was scared, a little nervous. I did it though. The cool part is there isn't a time limit on the Skywalk. WE were on it for two hours!~ It is worth it!
Posted by Carrie  on  Sun Apr 15, 2007  at  11:20 PM
By the way when you go on it first you have to go through an intense security check and then they take everything away from you. This includes even small things like cameras or wallets. The next thing you do is put a certain kind of bootie on your shoes....you know the kind people wear at the hospital. Actually when we were on the Skywalk people were really funny to watch. They would go up the last step toward the glass and grasp the handrail on the side or their mate/family member. I did notice about a five inch stress fracture in the glass toward the middle of the Skywalk on the right-hand-side. But this crack was not in the floor, it was in the sidewall. That was interesting. I did see where the engineer cemented holes in the canyon to hold the structure. I would say it was maybe 50 feet or so down where they put the hole. Also what freaked me out is that the engineer actually made a small bar that looks similar to what you would see on a roller coaster on the bottom of the structure. What is going to happen with that is there will be a small cart that goes all the way around the outside of it for someone to clean the glass...while they hang over the canyon!~ I couldn't believe it. What will that person's life insurance look like! For the most part I was MORE than impressed.
Posted by Carrie  on  Sun Apr 15, 2007  at  11:34 PM
Visited the Skywalk beginning of June. Beware the 20 mile drive along a rough dirt track to get to the reservation. Make sure you have sufficient gas as you are in the middle of nowhere. You cannot just do the Skywalk as you need to purchase a 'package' which includes a tour of the reservation (a joke) and a 'meal' (bigger joke). You can also get an upgraded package to include a helicopter ride into the canyon and a boat ride on the river. All a bit expensive. The Skywalk does not project over the canyon as much as the artists impression indicates but it is still a fabulous structure. It is an incredibly wierd feeling standing on the glass looking down to the base 4000 feet below!! Even though you know it is safe your brain can't stop telling you - get outta here!! A little bit expensive, the tour and meal were disappointing, the long dirt track drive was an experience in itself but the Skywalk was amazing. Done it now, bought the t - shirt but won't rush back.
Posted by Mal  on  Fri Jun 15, 2007  at  07:25 AM
Hi again. It ws nice to hear about your experience at the Skywalk. I was a bit disappointed in the so called "tour" after the initial visit to the Skywalk but hey I felt it made up for it in the way of letting us spend as much time as we wanted on the Skywalk. We stayed on it for close to two hours. I decided to put up a myspace page just so people could see the Skywalk in the picture of us in the background. I doubt we will be able to have such an experience again because of the steep cost but it was a great experience. I am almost apathetic that the Grand Canton exists because I was born in Arizona but this brought a little new excitement to it! We own a Jeep so the drive was no problem but if you have a nice car beware of the narrow twenty mile dirt road!!! 😊Carrie
Posted by Carrie  on  Fri Jun 15, 2007  at  07:42 PM
Both the illustration, and the statement that the skywalk is "4,000 feet above the Colorado River", are intentionally misleading.

Even to call this lower section of river "The Grand Canyon" is intentionally deceptive to lure Las Vegas tourists, typically from asia. The tourists don't realize the Grand Canyon National Park they know from art photographs is over 200 miles away.

This person below (not me) went to a lot of trouble to explain the deceptions of the skywalk marketing: http://www.indianskywalk.com/
Posted by Fred  on  Mon Apr 13, 2009  at  06:02 PM
The skywalk is actually perched on top of an approximatly 500 foot sheer cliff, 1.4 miles from the Colorado River.

Below the 500 foot cliff the side canyon wall steps down to a side creek 1,500 feet below the skywalk.

The skywalk is a tourist trap funded by an asian developer on indian land to fool asian tourists (who buy the tour package before going overseas) into thinking they are visiting the Grand Canyon.
Posted by Fred  on  Mon Apr 13, 2009  at  07:36 PM
Please reconsider the status of the skywalk as real.

There is much controversy over the millions of dollars the skywalk is generating by falsely claiming to be located at the Grand Canyon, and by falsely describing that the skywalk is 4,000 feet over the Colorado river.

The aggressive bait and switch tactics of their world wide marketing campaign has been commented by hundreds on various travel blogs.

http://hicks-wright.net/blog/grand-canyon-skywalk/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31306-d602012-Reviews-Skywalk_Grand_Canyon-Peach_Springs_Arizona.html

Here is a new site that explains that the skywalk is not located at the Grand Canyon of international fame:

http://www.grand-canyon-skywalk.info/

Even the National Park Service has had to address the deception to those who visit the park and want to see the skywalk, as politely as possible, by explaing on the goverment website that the skywalk is a 5 hour drive from the south rim of Grand canyon National Park.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/skywalk.htm
Posted by Fred  on  Sun Apr 19, 2009  at  01:58 PM
Skywalk my a$$. This is a man made piece of junk built by humans over one of the most amazing places in the world. It's a shame that people need trash like this to prompt them to visit the Canyon. Leave the glitz, asphalt roads and the man made marvels in Vegas! Stay home people if you can't enjoy the Canyon for what it is.
Posted by mike malandra  on  Mon Apr 20, 2009  at  06:21 AM
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