One Third Of Paving Completed On Unpaved Road To Grand Canyon West, Hualapai Tribe To Move Forward With Second Phase Of Paving.

The first phase of paving Diamond Bar Road, the infamous road leading to Grand Canyon West, is now completed. The Hualapai Tribe with cooperation from Mohave County Public Works, successfully reconstructed and paved 4.5 miles—nearly one third—of the previously unpaved 14-mile stretch of road. Diamond Bar Road is owned by Mohave County and is the primary access road to Grand Canyon West. The first phase of the project cost $7.5 million which was paid for by the Hualapai Tribe. The second phase that will reconstruct and pave the remaining portion of road is expected to go out to bid in Spring of 2010 and cost $40 million, which will also be financed by the Hualapai Tribe and possibly government grants. Until entirely completed, Mohave County Public Works is regularly maintaining the remaining unpaved driving surface of Diamond Bar Road. These improvements have dramatically increased the functionality and safety of the road.

“Paving Diamond Bar [Road] has been a long time in the making. Years even. It’s a big relief to us and our visitors,” said Wilfred Whatoname Sr., Chairman of the Hualapai Tribe. “The completion of this first section of road was a highly anticipated step to increase safety and accessibility to Grand Canyon West.”

“Seems like every year we are getting more and more within reach,” said Robert Bravo Jr., General Manager of Grand Canyon West. “Once projects like the road [Diamond Bar Road] and the Hoover Dam Bypass [expected to be completed at the end of 2010] are done, it will significantly reduce travel time. In most cases, like with visitors from Las Vegas, it will shorten the trip by up to two hours roundtrip….the new segment of paved road already saves visitors 30 minutes.”

The Diamond Bar Road project started more than 12 years ago. Environmental considerations, coordination between multiple government agencies, and funding were all essential components that were years in the making. The reconstruction and paving of the road began in May 2009. The project met extensive EPA compliance, which included the relocation of native plant life as well as many other environmentally conscious precautions. The collaboration between the Hualapai Tribe and Mohave County Public Works, particularly the assistance of Mike Hendrix, Director and Monte Wilson, Engineering Manager, has been instrumental to the current maintenance of the remaining unpaved driving surface. Similar Posts:

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Road to nowhere – now paved

Grand Canyon West, owned by the Hualapai Tribe, in partnership with National Geographic Channel announces the premiere of the “making of” documentary revealing never-before-seen footage of the design and construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the glass walkway nearly 4000 feet (1200 meters) above the floor of the Grand Canyon in Northwest Arizona. The documentary, Grand Canyon Skywalk, will premiere in high definition exclusively on the National Geographic Channel on April 2, 2009 at 8 PM ET/PT. The documentary will also be shown in the theater inside the Skywalk Visitor Center (once completed) and available for purchase in the gift shop.

“This documentary is a milestone for the Hualapai Nation and its accomplishments and has taken years to complete,” said Wilfred Whatoname Sr., Chairman of the Hualapai Nation. “We hope that people enjoy seeing how this breathtaking structure came to be and will be inspired to come see it first hand.”

“This documentary is truly one of a kind. It explores for the first time the most intimate details of one of the most daring engineering accomplishments in modern history and reveals a remarkable cultural story of a small Native American tribe’s struggle to secure an independent future,” said Steve Burns, Executive Vice President of Content for the National Geographic Channel.

The hour long special, produced by KAOS Entertainment for National Geographic Channel, is an in-depth documentary focusing on the technical aspects of the Grand Canyon Skywalk which will feature the design and construction from start to finish. Much of the footage that will be used to create the program has never been seen by the public, making this documentary the first and only true behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most unique structures and engineering marvels. The documentary also includes exclusive interviews with the people that made the Skywalk possible including David Jin (Founder of Grand Canyon Skywalk, LLC) and Wilfred Whatoname Sr. (Chairman of the Hualapai Nation), as well as the project’s engineers and architects.

For a sneak preview of the show, visit: channel.nationalgeographic.com
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Skywalk on National Geographic Channel

Peach Springs, AZ

PEACH SPRINGS, AZ (August 6, 2008) Peach Springs is a small town located on a remote portion of Route 66 in Northwestern Arizona that is void of many modern conveniences, including cell phone reception. Yet, it has been an essential hub for American travelers for well over a century. As waves of new transportation technologies came, the town had its booms, busts and was nearly a forgotten, literally bypassed by progress. Peach Springs has again started to regain its rightful “place on the map.” As of July 2008, the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs offers free wireless internet to all of its overnight guests, which is reconnecting the small town not only to the United States, but the world. The Hualapai Lodge is now the only location within 45 miles in any direction that visitors adventuring on the historic Route 66 can access the internet.

“We wanted to add value to the guest experience, so once it became an option, we decided to provide them with WiFi internet in all the rooms, conference rooms, and restaurant free of charge,” said Nancy Echeverria, Property Manager of the Hualapai Lodge. “Now visitors can communicate with their friends and relatives all over the world. Free WiFi at the Hualapai Lodge is just a taste of what is yet to come. It always amazes me how this area manages to land on its feet despite the difficult hands it gets dealt. Peach Springs, the Lodge in particular, have improvements coming up that will help put us back on the map.”

Historic Route 66

Peach Springs has had economic ups and downs but has always been a hub connecting the Eastern United States to the West. In 1883 the railroad came to Peach Springs and a small settlement was created. By the 1930’s the railroad technology had advanced and Peach Springs was no longer a necessary stop while on the way to California or Nevada. As a result, the small remote town was devastated. Railroad facilities and supporting businesses shut down and tourism ceased. As the automobile became more popular, especially after World War II, tourism returned to Peach Springs. Being located on Route 66, then a major east-west artery for the rapidly growing Los Angeles area, the town blossomed once again. However, with the completion of Interstate 40 in 1979, which bypasses Peach Springs by 25 miles, another economic slump had set in. In 1997 the Hualapai Lodge was opened by the Hualapai Tribe. The Lodge was, and currently remains, the only lodging, which contains the only restaurant, in Peach Springs. It also facilitates the accommodations for the increasing popular Hualapai River Runners, which offers the ONLY ONE DAY whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Now, with the regeneration of tourist looking for a true adventure, Peach Springs is making a slow, yet more sustainable comeback.

The Hualapai Lodge

The Hualapai Lodge is located directly on the historic Route 66 in the capital of the Hualapai Nation, Peach Springs, Arizona. Because of the accessibility to the Grand Canyon, the Hualapai Lodge is the center for many of the Hualapai’s tourism options including whitewater rafting, off-road tours, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, and hunting. The Hualapai Lodge is also the starting point for the only road that leads to the Colorado River at the bottom on the Grand Canyon, which is 19 miles away. The Hualapai Lodge features a heated saltwater pool and spa, 24-hour front desk, fitness center, custom river-rock fireplace with a lounge area, and a gift shop with Native American arts and crafts. Group rates and conference room/meeting facilities are available. The full-service Diamond Creek Restaurant, recipient of a AAA 2 Diamond rating, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visitors can view a complete list of activities, book reservations, and get directions on the web at www.destinationgrandcanyon.com or calling 1(877) 716-WEST (9378).Similar Posts:

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Peach Springs, Arizona: A Nearly Forgotten Town Reconnecting To The World

Documentary To Include Never-Before-Seen Footage On The Creation of the Glass Walkway Built Nearly 4000 Feet Above The Canyon Floor

GRAND CANYON WEST, AZ (May 29, 2008) Grand Canyon West, owned by the Hualapai Tribe, in partnership with National Geographic Channel has announced production of a “making of” documentary using never-before-seen footage of the design and construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the glass walkway nearly 4000 feet (1200 meters) above the floor of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The documentary will be aired in high definition exclusively on the National Geographic Channel and inside the Skywalk Visitor Center. The premiere is scheduled for early 2009.

The hour long special will be an in-depth documentary focusing on the technical aspects of the Grand Canyon Skywalk which will feature the design and construction from start to finish. Much of the footage that will be used to create the program has never been seen by the public, making this documentary the first true behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most unique structures and engineering marvels. Similar Posts:

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• Grand Canyon Skywalk Celebrates One Year Anniversary

“Making Of” the Grand Canyon Skywalk

OK, so here’s the breakdown:
The Hualapai Legacy Package costs $29.95 per person (plus taxes and fees)

To walk on the Skywalk will cost another $41 each. (check for current pricing)

The Hualapai Legacy Package is the basic entry package to Grand Canyon West. It is a self-guided tour of all points of interest at Grand Canyon West. Included in this package are the live performances, scenic viewpoints, cultural activities, a wagon ride and more. Unlimited use of the Hop-On Hop-Off shuttle is included in this package. Grand Canyon West is privately owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe and requires the purchase of a permit and Legacy Tour package for entry.

Hualapai Legacy Package (no meal, no Skywalk)
$29.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $43.05

Legacy Silver Package (includes meal, no Skywalk)
$41.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $55.83

Legacy Gold Package (includes meal, includes Skywalk)
$70.95 per person, plus tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge
Prices after taxes and fees: $86.81

Now there are some limitations when you walk the Skywalk.

There are no personal items, including cameras allowed on the Skywalk; you will be asked to store them in lockers. You can take photos of the Skywalk from the side, and a photo can be taken of you on the bridge and available for purchase if you choose. However, personal belongings, including cameras, on the bridge are not allowed to protect from dropping items into the canyon or onto the glass

So the big question is; Is it worth it?

Opinion on this is pretty strong but as you can see from these reviews, most people walk away disappointed. No worries, you can see the Skywalk from pictures I took before the ban was in place.

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How much does the Grand Canyon Skywalk cost?

GRAND CANYON WEST, AZ (March 19, 2008) Last year on March 28, 2007 thousands of people lined up to be some of the first to experience the Grand Canyon Skywalk, 4000 feet above the Canyon’s floor as Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Astronaut, did during the “First Walk” ceremony eight days earlier. In celebration of this historic event Grand Canyon West will offer this one time only buy one get one free Skywalk admission voucher for visitors that book though the reservations department for visits on March 28, 2008. Reservations can be made at www.destinationgrandcanyon.com or by calling 1-877-716-WEST(9378).

Since the opening of the Skywalk, the daily number of visitors to Grand Canyon West has quadrupled, rising from 500 per day to more than 2000 per day. The Skywalk’s popularity has helped Grand Canyon West grow tremendously resulting in hundreds of new job opportunities for the Hualapai people and countless improvements to the destination that enhance the visitor experience.

“The Hualapai Nation has been plagued by poverty and unemployment for decades,” said Wilfred Whatoname, Guest Relations at GCW and member of the Hualapai Tribe. “The Skywalk is proving to be a success and is paving the road to an independent future.”

“The Skywalk has not only succeeded in bringing people to Grand Canyon West, it has renewed interest in the Grand Canyon as a whole,” said Allison Raskansky, Marketing Director for Grand Canyon Skywalk. “It’s been a great year and there is more to come for Grand Canyon West including the completion of the Skywalk visitors’ center later this year.”

During the public opening ceremony one year ago the Skywalk was blessed by members of the Hualapai tribe and the thousands of visitors stepped out onto the glass walkway 120 at a time. The first people to walk on the structure were a couple from Baltimore, Maryland who were originally just on a business trip to Las Vegas.

“If you were anywhere near this area, it would be a big mistake not to come here [Skywalk],” said Benson Rice, the first person of the general public to walk on the Skywalk on the day of the opening. “It was definitely worth the trip.”

The Skywalk was envisioned by entrepreneur David Jin and is located at Grand Canyon West which is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe. It was designed by MRJ Architects with structurally engineering by Lochsa Engineering, LLC.

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Grand Canyon Skywalk Celebrates One Year Anniversary

GRAND CANYON WEST, ARIZ. – July 12, 2007 – Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, wholly owned by the Hualapai Tribe, has announced that all lawsuits pertaining to Diamond Bar Road have been dismissed and that permanent paving will commence as soon as October. The 14-mile stretch of unpaved Mojave County road has recently undergone temporary improvements to include widening, smoothing and gravel placement to reduce dust output and provide more ease for visitors traveling by car to Grand Canyon West. Diamond Bar Road is an environmentally and ecologically surfaced, treated roadway that is EPA approved, completely organic and surrounded by one of the largest ancient centennial Joshua Tree forests in the world

“Having these lawsuits dismissed is a relief for us,” said Sheri YellowHawk, CEO of Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. “We’ve had the funds in place for six years and to finally be able to put this project into action means tremendous potential success for our business.”

The lawsuits were filed by a neighboring landowner against the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management and Mojave County. Though not directly involved in any of the lawsuits, the Hualapai Tribe was required to put a hold on paving Diamond Bar Road until an agreement was reached. The opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk in March increased automobile traffic on Diamond Bar Road to such an extent that in April, Mojave County approved temporary improvements so that Grand Canyon West could provide a more accessible roadway to vehicular travelers.

“The recent improvements to Diamond Bar Road have provided a smooth, safe route to Grand Canyon West,” said William Cavenagh, CEO, Big Horn Hummer Tours of Las Vegas. “We’ve been traveling Diamond Bar Road for more than five years and applaud the difference these improvements have made.”

The estimated cost of the permanent paving project is $20 million, $12 million of which will be paid with federal grant money that the Hualapai have been saving specifically for this project. The tribe was unable to request funds for other tribal roads, but needed to save these for Diamond Bar Road. The additional $8 million will come from future revenues generated at Grand Canyon West, as the result of the overwhelming response to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

“As the destination continues to grow, so does the scope of what we can do to improve the quality of life for our tribe,” said Sheri YellowHawk. Targeted projects include development of the tribe’s first fire department in Peach Springs, and the installation of a new community-wide water system. At present, water can only be pumped manually and water restrictions are regularly applied. A forty-five minute drive is required just to wash a car.

The revenues brought in from increased visitation to Grand Canyon West will also apply to direct enhancements to the destination itself. Currently, the “Clash of the Bighorns” monument is being created to serve as a colossal archway that cars will drive under as they arrive at Grand Canyon West. Designed by artist Cameron K. Daines, the “Clash of the Bighorns” celebrates two powerful bighorn sheep going head to head in a dance of dominance. The monument embodies the spirit of the canyon and the self-determination of the Hualapai. When completed, the bighorns will measure 65 feet tall from the base of the monument to the top of their curved horns.

Another targeted project is the development of Grand Canyon West’s own water source. Currently, water is brought daily in trucks from nearby Meadview, Arizona.

Pricing is currently structured as an all-inclusive package based on the prior visitor numbers at Grand Canyon West—an average of 400 visitors daily compared to 2,000 in recent months—but now, the growth is allowing for an “a la carte” pricing restructure that will allow the visitor to choose which components they would like to purchase, resulting in a lower priced entry package. The cost of the Grand Canyon Skywalk is currently $25 in addition to an all-inclusive entry package, the most popular The Spirit at $49.95. It is hoped that the new pricing structure, slated to go into effect in 2008, will mitigate any confusion about pricing at Grand Canyon West.

The opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk on March 28, 2007 has helped bring more than 200,000 visitors from all over the world, including celebrities and government officials, to see epic canyon views and experience the Hualapai culture at Grand Canyon West.

Day visitors are not required to make advance reservations, however, advance reservations reduce wait times and allow visitors to pick up their tickets at Will Call when they arrive at Grand Canyon West. All visitors are encouraged to go to the website at www.destinationgrandcanyon.com prior to traveling to Grand Canyon West. There, visitors can learn about different tour options, pricing and get the most correct driving directions. Similar Posts:

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14 miles of hell – no more

There are some great pictures of the Grand Canyon Skywalk and some that just repeat what another shot shows better. So I’ll be going through the gallery and removing the superfluous pictures to give you a more stream lined gallery. Now this is where you, my loyal readers, com in. Some pictures will be easy to cut and some will be easy to keep. But there are going to be a great many that are somewhere in between. So if you’re bored, and you must be to be visiting my site at this time of the day/night, then please take a moment to rate your favorite pictures. Simply follow the link to the Grand Canyon Skywalk Pictures and in the lower right-hand corner, select detail view (vs summary). Then simply click on the appropriate star rating for each picture. Note that there is a little glitch which seems to not show star ratings (or votes) within the gallery but, rest assured, they are being counted. Check out the top rated images by visiting Rating Album: 3.5. You can also coment on any photo’s you like (or dislike)Similar Posts:

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Pictures of the Grand Canyon Skywalk

GRAND CANYON WEST, ARIZ. – May 17, 2007 – the 14 mile stretch of unpaved Mojave County road leading to Grand Canyon West has been approved by the county for widening and temporary improvements until the road is paved. Improvements began on Wednesday, May 16 and will include the road being covered with four inches of gravel and treated with one of two sealants now being tested.

“The unpaved portion of Diamond Bar Road is undergoing temporary improvements, approved by Mojave County, to ease the difficulty of navigating Diamond Bar Road,” said Sheri Yellowhawk, CEO of Grand Canyon Resort Corporation. “The road will eventually be paved, but until then we are working in conjunction with Mojave County to make it easier for our visitors to drive to Grand Canyon West.”

The temporary road improvements to the unpaved county portion of Diamond Bar Road will reduce dust output, lessen travel time and provide a more car-friendly surface for automobiles of all sizes.

“We still encourage every driver to take note that Grand Canyon West is located in a remote wilderness region like much of the rural Southwest. As a general safety measure, all car travelers should familiarize themselves with the terrain and surroundings of the area before making the trip and should travel with a working spare tire kit and bottled water,” said Ms. Yellowhawk. Grand Canyon West is located in the western Grand Canyon corridor of Northern Arizona. The nearest major services are located 70 miles away in Kingman, Arizona.

Since the opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk on March 28, 2007, Grand Canyon West has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors. Operational functions have been boosted to more than double to address the sudden growth and enhancements are being made daily to ensure the satisfaction of each visitor. Expansion of Grand Canyon West was started before the opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk and continues to be ongoing.

Day visitors are not required to make advance reservations, however, advance reservations reduce wait times and allow visitors to pick up their tickets at Will Call when they arrive at Grand Canyon West. All visitors are encouraged to go to the website at www.destinationgrandcanyon.com prior to traveling to Grand Canyon West. There, visitors can learn about different tour options, pricing ($75) and get the most accurate driving directions.

Grand Canyon West is located approximately 120 miles east of Las Vegas, Nev., and 72 miles northwest of Kingman, Ariz. Attractions available at Grand Canyon West include The Indian Village with authentic dwellings depicting multiple tribes, The Hualapai Market, and The Hualapai Ranch, a western town with horseback and wagon rides. Grand Canyon West is the only location throughout the entire Grand Canyon where visitors can access the river and water recreation activities at the bottom of the canyon via helicopter tours. In addition to boat tours on the river, Hummer tours are available along the rim of the canyon and through private areas that are otherwise inaccessible to the public. There are more than 30 tour and transportation companies that service Grand Canyon West from Las Vegas, Phoenix and Sedona by airplane, helicopter, coach, SUV, and Hummer. In addition, Park & Ride services are available from Dolan Springs, Ariz., a one-hour drive from Las Vegas. The Hualapai operate the only one day white water rafting trip through the Grand Canyon as well as a Lodge on Historic Route 66. To book reservations, view a complete list of activities or receive maps and directions, visitors may log on to www.destinationgrandcanyon.com or call 1(877) 716-WEST (9378). The Hualapai Tribe, consisting of approximately 2,000 Hualapai members, owns nearly one million acres of land throughout the Grand Canyon’s western rim. The capital of the Hualapai Reservation is Peach Springs, Ariz.

Will the skywalk road ever get paved? YES!Similar Posts:

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Road to Grand Canyon Skywalk Will Eventually be Paved

According to the story I heard (aka not verified) a while back, an agency in charge of protecting the Grand Canyon asked the tribe to limit access to the canyon floor. The tribe agreed and arranged with the nearby tour operators to limit boat and helicopter landings to specific areas.

I was also told that after this agreement with the tour operators was made one operator had setup an unauthorized helicopter landing site. When the tribe found out, they banned that operator for life. I was told that operator was Heli-USA.

Finally, when the tribe petitioned the County to have the 14 mile dirt road paved, the owner of Heli-USA blocked it by demanding a 7-year environmental study done. Now that study was completed and the County was prepared to pave the road but the owner of Heli-USA blocked it again by trying to reject the initial report and demanding a new report. This is where we are today but the court is likely to accept the first report and the county will pave the road soon.

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook said this about Heli-USA.

There are aspects of this company that trouble us. they had a fatal crash in 2005, and the flight was considered so reckless that the pilot was indicted for manslaughter. (Very unusual in an aviation accident)

From the Hawaii Channel…

For the first time in Hawaii’s history, a pilot has been indicted for manslaughter after a deadly crash of a tour helicopter.

The crash happened on Kauai’s north shore on Sept. 23. Pilot Glen Lampton and five passengers survived the crash.

However, three passengers were killed when the Heli-USA flight went into the water. – source

And more recently…

In the course of three days, two helicopter crashes have occurred on the island of Kauai. On Thursday, March 8, 2007, a Heli USA Airways helicopter crashed at the Princeville Airport killing four, including the pilot, and injuring three others. On Sunday, March 11, 2007, an Inter-Island helicopter crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing near Haena, also on Kauai’s North Shore. One fatality and four injuries are reported in the second crash. – source

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Skywalk dirt road