The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-06-18


Of the river and thirteen feet above the highest
known water mark. 1t will cost approximately
$13,OOO
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 T. Mather says In part
The park is both summer and winter resort
Though thus far developed by private capital. the
results generally have been achieved with refine
ment 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 ef
fected. Our landscape engineer has studied the
future layout OF all buildings, and construction
for both the public operators and the park ad-
mnstration will proceed along welaid-out lines
Although the first appropriation was not large
for the amount OF work to be done, since II
amounted to only $4,000, these funds
fully distributed and some improvements accom-
plshed In part these consisted In the construction
of a stable and garage building. Of a mess house,
ranger quarters which are being temporarily used
for administrative Offices and improvements to a
log cabin now being utilized by the acting super
ntendent a residence. These are all at the
Grand canyon administrative Site Ranger and
construction and maintenance forces have been
established, and there Is at this writing a COM
petent nucleus for carrying on all the park work
under present conditions The appropriation OF
100000 for the present fiscal year enabled me to
plan somewhat more extensively for actual iIn-
provements.
zone important piece of construction Is sus-
penson bridge across the Colorado river at the
foot of the south-side Bright Angel trail to connect
with the north-side 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 animal travel from the south to the north
side of the park it will be difficult to administer
fnr ~ 1pvQ nD-
ment and use by park visitors
1.-THE north rim, which is from my own observa-
ton this summer, beautiful than the south
rim, is practically undeveloped by roads and trails
AS this first suspension bridge Is com
pleted the Colorado river it is planned to
reconstruct portion of the Bright Angel trail
on the north side of the river. which VIII make
the north rim easily accessible. Later another
bridge across the Colorado will be constructed
near the foot of the Hermit trail, which IN turn
is to be connected by trail to the north RIM as u
part of the trail development planned on the north
side of the park also additional bridge should
be placed in the vicinity of the present Bass cable
way (about s miles to the wesD- l predict north
and south rim travel will constitute the most III
teresting and popular of all our scenic park Trips.
with the construction of these bridges trave'
between the north and south rim will cause the
establishment of additional camps One of these
camps should be located at 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
sble to secure water. Expansions into the lndiah
Gardens camping are planned for the I'M
mediate future. These camps will in a way sup
plement the Ell Toyar hotel and the Hermit camp
the south side and also the present Wyhe es-
tablishment the north rim The inhux oil tour
lists carries with it an Increased demand for camp
ing space and also larger hotel facilities, and as
quickly as this demand is recognized, the facihties
will be expanded.