The Grand Canyon Skywalk: Stepping Over the Edge
Stepping out onto the Grand Canyon Skywalk is like walking effortlessly across the sky. You step out over the edge, a full 4,000 feet above the Colorado River below and walk along the skywalk, experiencing the Grand Canyon from a truly amazing perspective. Being able to walk 70 feet straight out from the rim allows you to take in the beauty that only Mother Nature can create…the Grand Canyon.
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The Grand Canyon itself is 277 miles long and stretches over 18 miles wide at some points. It has been a national monument for over 100 years, but its history dates back millions of years. The canyon we see today is estimated to have taken at least 3-5 million years for the Colorado River, erosion and nature to carve.
Up until 2007, visitors were only able to go to designated viewing sites and of course, travel down into the canyon (which is a life-changing experience all its own). Then in 2007, the Grand Canyon Skywalk was officially opened making the Grand Canyon an even bigger tourist attraction that it was already.
Now this skywalk isn’t for those who have any fear of heights. Although, there is no need to worry about safety, it is very sturdy and safe. The skywalk was built strong to withstand not only the daily tourist traffic, but to withstand the elements as well.
The deck was built to handle 100 lb per square foot load. It weighs in at a little over 1 million lbs with a counterweight of about 1.6 million lbs. The skywalk deck floor consists of 6 layers of low-iron glass and structural interlayer glass, which is what gives it its structural integrity while still allowing visitors to see directly below them to the canyon floor.
The “walls” of the skywalk are made of the same glass, but are only 3 layers thick and stand at just over 5 feet tall with a curve in them designed for a better viewing experience. As only 120 visitors are allowed on the skywalk at one time (even though it could handle over 800), the skywalk truly delivers a breath-taking experience.
Keep in mind though, as you walk out onto the skywalk, you will be standing over the canyon at a height that is taller than the Gateway Arch, the Empire State Building and the CN Tower combined. Enjoy the views!
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Comments
What do Cameras and Binoculars have to do wit Preservation? Does taking a picture or looking thru something take away from the area?
That’s just dumb. $1 for the locker? Nice way to make more money.
Get real.
It costs $125 to go on the thing after an hour drive on the worst road imaginable…not worth it if you’ve been to the grand canyon before.
The skywalk is overrated and a tourists trap. Yes, it has a nice view and looks cool when you see these pictures. What you don’t see is your empty pocket to get there. I recently went there lured by photos like these ones, I checked the Skywalk website and other information websites on this beforehand but no one mentioned that you have to drive for a long while on dirt road. When you think you’ve arrived, you’re forced to leave your car in the middle of nowhere and purchase an expensive ticket to ride a bus that takes you to the skywalk. But that’s not all, if you actually want to ‘walk’ on the skywalk, you need to pay an additional $30 something dollar. Plus, they don’t let you bring your camera. They even dare to check you to make sure you don’t bring anything inside. But wait, there’s more. It just so happens that one of their staff shows up inside the Skywalk to take you a picture and you guessed it, another chunk of money to pick up your picture.
I went there with my girlfriend and ended up spending around $200. Not worth it; I repeat, not worth it. I wish I’d had read a comment like mine beforehand so I don’t bother dumping all that cash for nothing.
After all the drive to get there, they know you will end up paying those $80 p/p to get into the bus and enter the Skywalk. Please do not bother going there. I’m not a cheap person, I just simply hate to be seen as a tourist fool and I believe you hate that too.
well then you are stupid for spending the money lol. i went to there and didn’t set foot on the skywalk and loved every minute of it. most beautiful thing ive ever seen. dont listen to him, when he goes to see natural beauty he expects paved roads to lead him to his enormous man made structure to see it form 60ft NAY 70ft out… rather than an amazingly beautiful drive through the deserts and canyons of arizona. you can stand right on the edge of the canyon its amazing. as well as rafting helicopter rides camping in and out of the canyon and so much more. oh and btw you have to ride the bus when you get there because it takes you to multiple areas of the canyon. the bus is also for saftey because of rattle snakes (this comment has been edited by Adelia to take out offensive wording)