Grand Canyon News

Well, you’ve gotta love the internet.  Within hours of Buzz Aldrin’s official “christening” of the Grand Canyon Skywalk at Grand Canyon West, the dispatches began pouring in and the kinda-sorta semi-official verdict is ……….. among those in favor………the Grand Canyon Skywalk is pretty cool.  Rob Cuthbert, a writer from Viator, had this to say about it:

“It’s brilliant. Despite the concerns of many, it takes absolutely nothing away from the Canyon, but instead adds a subtle yet powerful new dimension to the Canyon experience that every visitor willing to buy a pair of throw-away bootees for $25 will certainly enjoy. Actually, enjoy doesn’t quite seem like the right word, it’s maybe a little understated, but after the Skywalk experience, I’m at something of a loss for words… By the way: I wondered if the Skywalk would induce vertigo.  It’s a long sheer drop to the bottom, and the glass walkway is the only thing between you and the distant but no doubt merciless rock below. But no, it doesn’t seem to.  It’s about the most solid structure you can imagine.”

Understandably, the reservation lines at Grand Canyon West (www.destinationgrandcanyon.com) have been busy, but that’s what redial buttons are for.  Be persistent, be patient.

At Grandcanyon.com, our motto has always been “an informed traveler is a happy traveler,” so as we get a sense for the questions most asked about the Skywalk, we want to pass them on to you. 

Right now, one of the Grand Canyon area’s most popular activities is the Grand Canyon Railway historic train from Williams, Arizona.  When folks inquire about it, we always like to be sure and point out that the train does not ride along the canyon rim, but rather goes up to it from 60 miles due South.  You don’t see the canyon until you get off the train at the park.  It seems as though another misconception we’re going to have to actively dispel is the notion that the Grand Canyon Railway goes to where the Skywalk is.  The Grand Canyon Railway DOES NOT go to where the Grand Canyon Skywalk is at.

Again, and here’s where I’m being redundant, but this is important: the Grand Canyon Skywalk is situated at Grand Canyon West, which is part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation. it is NOT situated at Grand Canyon National Park.  The Grand Canyon Railway goes to Grand Canyon National Park South Rim. 

Some of you have also asked about the glass on the Grand Canyon Skywalk and how is it possible for 120 people to stand on the skywalk at the same time.  The answer: Ultra-Clear DuPont Sentry Glass.  For more information, read this article on PRNewswire.   Speaking of the glass, things like cameras and cell phones are apparently going to be banned on the Skywalk so the clarity of the glass can be maintained.  Hopefully the staff at Grand Canyon West will offer some other way to allow visitors to take home a memento of their trip on the Skywalk.  We’ll keep you posted on this “work in progress” at Grand Canyon West. 

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