By T L Stephens
The Hualapai American Indian Reservation, created in 1883, is nearly 1,000,000 acres that includes 108 miles of the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. The Hualapai, pronounced (wal-la-pie), means People of the Tall Pines. At one time they inhabited more than 5,000,000 acres. Years of economic and social hardships led tribal leaders to take measures that would lead to independence and a secure future for its future generations. As a result, the Hualapai tribe decided to open its land to visitors. In 1988, Grand Canyon West was created as a tourist destination.
The Grand Canyon is truly breathtaking. It offers unique combinations of vistas, outcroppings,, and colors seemingly painted with the brush strokes of a million years. Its walls, with striations as far as the eye can see, tell the story of the progression of time. The canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep.
In an effort to further increase tourism to the canyons west rim, the Grand Canyon Skywalk was constructed in 2007. The Skywalk is a horseshoe shaped glass bridge that enables visitors to walk beyond the canyon walls suspended more than 4000 feet above the canyon floor.
