Looking Down from the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West

Luxury Adventures: Imagine walking out over the Grand Canyon and staring down at the Colorado River 4,000 below. Although it may sound like some sort of a simulator inducing a very realistic illusion, this is a real deal. The Skywalk at Grand Canyon West, which is a U-shaped, see-through-glass structure that juts out approximately 70 feet from the canyon, is scheduled to open to the public March 28, 2007. Prior to the public unveiling, Grand Canyon West will host a "First Walk" event for media and VIPs February 27 to March 2. The name of the first intrepid public person to step on the Skywalk will be announced soon.

Located in Peach Springs, Arizona, on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West is approximately 120 miles east of Las Vegas. It makes the Grand Canyon a much shorter commute for Las Vegas vacationers seeking a casino-free respite. The Skywalk will be part of a tourist destination that includes Western- and Indian-themed villages, a helicopter pontoon, and horseback riding.

The Skywalk project has been under construction since March 2004. It is constructed to support 36,000 tons (72 million pounds), withstand winds of 100 mph and 8.0-registering earthquakes 50 miles away. Up to 120 people will be permitted on the glass bridge at a time. So, unless each person granted access weighs 600,000 pounds, the structural integrity of the Skywalk should not prompt visitors to worry.

The Skywalk facility also will include a three-level 6,000 square-foot visitor's center, with the first level underground. The center will house a museum, a movie theater, a VIP lounge, a gift shop, and several restaurants and bars. For luxury lovers, the upscale venue of choice will be the Skywalk Café, featuring an outdoor patio and rooftop seating on the canyon's edge. The complex also will provide indoor and outdoor facilities for business and social events.

If you want to get high, the Skywalk at Grand Canyon West can grandly accommodate your wishes!

For LxM James Rothaar