Posted on 08/26/2005 1:33:08 PM PDT by AntiGuv
PHOENIX - Great views — and plenty of goosebumps for those afraid of heights.
An American Indian tribe with land along the Grand Canyon is planning to build a glass-bottomed walkway that will jut out 70 feet from the canyon's edge.
The horseshoe-shaped skywalk, expected to open in January, is part of the Hualapai Tribe's $40 million effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land into a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.
The tribe's reservation is some 200 miles by road to the west of the section of the Grand Canyon National Park that most tourists visit.
The walkway, with a glass bottom and sides, will be supported by steel beams and will accommodate 120 people, though it is designed to hold 72 million pounds, said Sheri Yellowhawk, chief executive officer of the Grand Canyon Resort Corp., the tribal-owned company that is overseeing the project.
"You're basically looking 4,000 feet down. It's a whole new way to experience the Grand Canyon," Yellowhawk said.
Admission will be $25.
The project is still seeking an insurer, said architect David Jin, who said he came up with the skywalk idea while visiting the canyon in 1996.
In this artist rendering provided by Destination Grand Canyon, a glass skywalk is shown extending from the Grand Canyon. An American Indian tribe with land along the canyon is planning to build a glass-bottomed walkway that will jut out 70 feet from the canyon's edge. The skywalk, expected to open in January, is part of the Hualapai Tribe's $40 million effort to turn 1,000 acres of reservation land into a tourist destination that will also feature an Indian village and Western-themed town.
Has the new polish navy gotten their glass bottom boats yet?
LOL. I just bet.
eek! Me and my Acrophobia will never step on that walkway, I can tell you...
What, no Flintstone City?
Not just no, but HELL no.
A western theme town?
I guess they miss the cowboy and Indian days, when life was more fun.
Amazingly enough, that does seem to fit reasonably well into its surroundings, aesthetically speaking.
I wouldn't begrudge the Hualapai, as I understand, their realm currently consists of a handful of rusting double-wides in a grand, picturesque setting.
Mountains without handrails!!!!
Um, I don't think so scooter.
No Casino and hotels ?
The last time I looked 4,000 straight down and I wasn't in a plane I was SCUBA diving in Jamaica. Totally different, but it was really cool. Of course, it turned to black several hundred fee down.
I ain't walking out there without my parachute strapped on my back.
As for that "Indian village and Western-themed town" well, we'll see.
I'm just glad that Max Baer Jr. ("Jethro Bodine") was never able to scare up a backer for his Beverly Hillbillies-themed hotel and casino.
Funny thing...I can ride in a plane at cruising altitude with no problem, but that thing gives me the creeps.
concur
But what if they put some blackjack tables out there?
Where nothing can go worng...
I guess so.
I don't think you'll catch this particular paleface on that glass walkway, but maybe I can play Wyatt Earp for a day.
Oh no, man, that thing looks AWFUL! What happened to natives' "reverence for nature?"
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