Should The Grand Canyon Skywalk Have Been Built?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The People Behind the Skywalk

A Las Vegas-based construction firm called

Executive Construction Management

brought Jin’s vision to life to offer millions of adventurers a chance to see the Grand Canyon in a way they’d never seen it before.

Why was Skywalk built?

When explorer George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, his simple, but pointed reply was, “because it’s there.” When asked why he wanted to build the Grand Canyon Skywalk, Las Vegas entrepreneur David Jin might have given a similarly succinct but telling reply of, “because I can.”

Is the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon worth it?

Worth it?

Absolutely

. However, to make a visit to the South Rim worthwhile, you need to plan to spend at least a few hours here. It can be done as a day trip from Las Vegas, but you will spend most of the day in your car (it takes 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon).

How much did it cost to build the Skywalk?

History of the Skywalk Bridge

The Grand Canyon Skywalk cost

$30 million

to construct and was funded by Hualapai Indian tribe in partnership with Chinese-American businessman David Jin. Built to withstand 100 mph winds, the Skywalk’s frame was constructed with 100 million pounds of steel.

Why did they build the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

The People Behind the Skywalk

A Las Vegas-based construction firm called

Executive Construction Management

brought Jin’s vision to life to offer millions of adventurers a chance to see the Grand Canyon in a way they’d never seen it before.

What is good about the Skywalk?

The Skywalk is a

tourist destination

that you won’t want to miss. The fact that it extends nearly 70 feet beyond the rim of the Grand Canyon and has a secured glass bottom is why hundreds of thousands of people visit this hot spot every single year.

Has anyone jumped off the Skywalk?

A man jumped from the Grand Canyon on Saturday, plunging to his death in front of other visitors at the Skywalk bridge, an official said Monday. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. when the 28-year-old man climbed over a safety barrier and jumped, a spokesperson for Grand Canyon West said in an email to CBS News.

Who owns Grand Canyon?

Despite these strategically located private in-holdings, the vast majority of the Grand Canyon is owned by

the federal government

, held in trust for the American people and managed by a varied collection of federal agencies. Indian reservations, state land, and private land surround these federal lands.

Can you see the Grand Canyon for free?

Grand Canyon National Park has had an entrance fee since 1926. … The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee.

The remaining 300 sites are free to enter

.

Can you take pictures from the Grand Canyon Skywalk?

Can I take pictures on the Skywalk? To protect the glass paneling from scratches, personal items including cameras and cellphones are not allowed on the Skywalk, but

you can purchase a souvenir photo from a professional photographer

. You’ll also be required to wear fabric shoe covers to prevent scratching.

Where is the best view of the Grand Canyon?

  1. Mather Point, South Rim. …
  2. Redwall Bridge, North Rim. …
  3. Hopi Point, South Rim Trail. …
  4. Plateau Point, Bright Angel Trail. …
  5. Shoshone Point, South Rim. …
  6. Desert View. …
  7. Angel’s Window, North Rim. …
  8. Black Bridge or Silver Bridge view from the River.

What tribe owns the Skywalk?

The Skywalk, managed by

the Hualapai Tribe

and located on tribal lands, consists of a horseshoe shaped steel frame with glass floor and sides that projects about 70 feet (21 m) from the canyon rim.

How many people have died at the Grand Canyon?

On average, about 15 to 20 people die every year in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park in incidents ranging from medical emergencies to falls and suicides, Baird told The Post.

Nine fatalities

have been tallied thus far in 2021, Baird said.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.