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Tribe hopes Skywalk leads to bright future

the Hualapai Skywalk about a week before its official public opening. Below, an artist’s conception pre-construction.

the Hualapai Skywalk about a week before its official public opening. Below, an artist’s conception pre-construction.

After numerous delays and amid growing buzz that drew attention from all over the world, in March the Hualapai Nation opened their controversial, $30 million steel and glass Skywalk over the Canyon.

Designed to withstand 100 mph winds, earthquake and the weight of more than 800 adults, it offers a straight-down look into the gorge from 70 feet.

Las Vegas developer David Jin envisioned the glass walkway during a family visit to Grand Canyon about a decade before and secured financing for the project. He and the tribe have a 25-year agreement, the details of which are confidential, according to Grand Canyon Resort.

For a "First Walk" event a week prior to the public opening, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin made an appearance as the guest of honor.

"It is not in the least disturbing, at least for a couple of us," Aldrin said, referring to fellow astronaut John Bennett Herrington, the first Native American in space.

Some did find it disturbing, however. Lifelong Grand Canyon resident Clarinda Vail said the project had a Las Vegas feel and she feared people would confuse Grand Canyon West and Grand Canyon National Park.

"We don't want people thinking this is what the park is about," she said.

The huge media and VIP turnout was fueled by some of the best marketing money can't buy, taking shape on the Internet as an urban legend. When it started circulating in fall of 2005 that a massive glass bridge would be built over the Canyon, Snopes.com, Netlore.com and others answered that yes, it was somewhat true.

The remote reservation covers 1,600 square miles. Though it's only 90 miles downriver from the park, to get to the tribal capital of Peach Springs, Ariz., is a drive of some 250 miles, 70 northwest from Kingman with the last 14 on road that, until this fall, was unpaved. Since its opened, the tribe says that average daily visitation has gone from 400 to 2,000.

The Skywalk is one phase in an ambitious capital plan Hualapai leaders hope will double visitation from 300,000 to 600,000 annually. The tribe also plans a 6,000-square-foot, three-story visitor center with museum, movie theater, lounge, gift shop and food options including fine dining on the rooftop.

To greet visitors, they have also commissioned a "Clash of the Bighorns" monument from artist Cameron K. Daines. All arrivals to Grand Canyon West will pass under a 65-foot tall arch in the form of two bighorns butting heads.

The cost of the Grand Canyon Skywalk is currently $25 in addition to an all-inclusive entry package that starts at $50. The tribe plans to release a new pricing structure in the fall that will offer lower-cost tours with options that can be added a la carte.

The Hualapai name is the English rendition of "hwal'bay," which means "People of the tall Pine." Traditionally hunter-gatherers, today they struggle in a wage-based economy with few opportunities apart from government employment.

Unemployment ranges from between 50 to 70 percent depending on season, and more than half of its households fall below the federal poverty line. The median age in the tribe of about 2,000 members is a little over 23 years old.

The Grand Canyon Resort Corporation oversees the tribe's tourism enterprise, which began with bus tours in 1988. Its board of directors is appointed by the Tribal Council. In the mid-90s, they attempted a casino, but that failed due to the remote location and close proximity to Las Vegas.

Today, they operate a dude ranch, Indian village, river running and helicopter and Humvee tours, touting a combination of the Western experience, exposure to Native American culture and outdoor opportunities not available at Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon West is the only place where tourists can find mechanical conveyance to the river and back.

MRJ Architects designed the Skywalk and it was engineered by Lochsa Engineering. APCO Builders did the actual construction and the glass was manufactured by Saint Gobain in Germany.


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