The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-06-24

Of the river and thirteen feet above the highest
known water mark, 1t will cost approximately
$4,000.
Grand Canyon National park was established
in 1919 and was dedicated in 1920 The suspen.
sion bridge Is but one Of many Improvements
planned by the national park service. Concerning
the suspension bridge and other things Director
Stephen I. Mather says In part:
tile park is both d summer and winter resort
Though thus far developed by private capta the
results generally have been achieved with refine
nent and success. The character of existing build
ings Is commendable, and, although considerable
adjustment will have to be done In the location of
certain future buildings, this can readily be eff
fected Our landscape engineer has studied the
future layout Of all buildings, and construction
for both the public operators and the park adj
mnistraton will proceed along welllaid-out lines,
although tie first appropriation was not large
for the amount Of work TO be done. since 1t
amounted to only $4,000. these funds We're care
fully distribntsa and some improvements accom-
pshed. In part these consisted IN the construction
of stable and garage building, of mess house,
ranger quarters which are being temporarily used
for administrative Offices and improvements 10 a
log cabin now being utilized by the acting super.
intendent MS a residence. These are all ut tne
Grand canyon administrative Site. Ranger and
construction and maintenance forces have been
established, and there is, AT this writing com.
petent nucleus for carrying ON all the park work
100000 for the present fiscal Year enabled me to
plan somewhat more extensively for actual i'm
provements.
zone important piece of construction is sus
pension bridge across the Colorado river at the
foot of the sOuth-stle Bright Angel trail TO connect
with the north.slde Bright Angel trail. AT pres
ent the only method Of crossing is in a small
swinging cage travelling over small cable. which
only the most venturesome persons care to use
animals cannot be transported. Without some
means OF animal travel from the south to the north
side of the park Il will be difficult to administer
the north rim or provide for its proper develop
ment and use by park visitors.
'aThe north rim. which is, from my own observa-
ton this summer, more beautiful than the south
rim, Is practically undeyeoped by roads and trails
AS soon as this first suspension bridge Is COM
pleted across the Colorado river II is planned to
reconstruct portion OF che Bright Angel trail
on the north side of the river, which will make
the north rim easily accessible Later another
bridge across the Colorado win be constructed
near the foot of the Hermit trail, which in turn
is 70 be connected by a trail to tie north rim as =
part OF the trail development planned on The north
side of the park; also an additional bridge shout
be placed In the vicinity OF the present Bass cable
way (about miles to the west), l predict north
and south rim travel will constitute the most In
terestIng and popular of all scenic park trips
aWith the construction of these bridges travel
between the north and south rim will cause the
establishment of additional camps One OF thest
camps should be located Mt some convenient place
on the trail, which will be constructed from the
Hermit suspension bridge through to the Plateau
TRAIL and as near the north rim as 1t will be pos
sIble to secure water Expansions into the lndiat
Gardens camping area are planned for the "a
mediate future. These camps will In way sup
pement the Ell Tovar hotel and the Hermit casi'
on the south SIDE and also the present Wyiie -
Establishment on the north rim. The influx of I, az
lists carries with it an Increased demand for cail
ing space and also larger hotel facilities, and y
quickly as this demand is recognized, the facility
will be expanded.