Universal Ramblings

It is as if you are stepping out in space, when you take a walk on this U-shaped transparent platform that juts out over the Grand Canyon’s western rim, 4,000 feet (1219 m) above the Colorado River. Visitors must don special non-scuff, nonslip booties for the 70-foot (21.3 m) walk on the 4-inch (10.2 cm) thick glass floor. The walkway is built to withstand hurricane winds of up to 100 mph (160.9 kph) coming from eight different directions and earthquakes up to a magnitude of 8.0 within 50 miles; it can hold the weight of 71 Boeing 747 jet airliners — over 71 million pounds (32 million kg).

When creator David Jin came up with the idea, he had to convince the Hualapai tribe, which owns the land, that it would be a good idea. He promised them it would not hurt the environment. They will also receive most of the profits that the bridge generates.

To walk on the Skywalk, you must purchase a Grand Canyon West Rim Package. Packages cost $81.20 for adults, $61.16 for children aged 12 and up. Children aged 7-11 enter for free. Children must be at least 4 ft (1.3 m) tall. The packages include entrance to the Skywalk, Hualapai visitors permit and certificate, rim top narrated transfers, Eagle Point, Guano Point, Hualapai Ranch and a meal at one of a number of restaurants. If you would like to visit the Skywalk without entering the park, no reservation is required. No cameras or personal belongings are allowed on the Skywalk. The Skywalk is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter.

Sky walk protrudes 20 metres (66 ft) beyond the edge of the canyon. The walls and floor are built from glass 4 inches (102 mm) thick. The glass appears tinted on both edges, however this is a protective cushioning for the glass. This running along the sides can be used as a “safe zone” by scared visitors. While the Sky walk is capable of holding 70 tons of weight (the equivalent of 800 people weighing 80 kg (176 lb) each), the permitted capacity is limited to 120 persons. Visitors are provided with shoe covers to protect them from slipping and to prevent the glass floor from being scratched. The Skywalk was built by the French company Saint-Gobain.

Construction began in March 2004. It was rolled onto the edge of the canyon on March 7, 2007, after passing several days of testing to replicate weather, strength, and endurance conditions of its final destination. The structure was built to withstand up to 100 mph (160 km/h) winds and a magnitude 8 earthquake. Tuned mass dampers were used to minimize vibration from wind and pedestrians.