Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-06-16

OF the river and thirteen feet above the highest
known water mark It will cost approximately
$4,000
Grand Canyon National park was established
IN 1913 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 7. 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 eff
fected. Our landscape engineer has studied the
future layout of all buildings, and construction
1or both the public operators and the park adj
ministration will proceed along well-laid-out lines.
ALTHOUGH the first appropriation was not large
for the amount Of work to be done, since 1t
amounted to only $4,000 these funds were care.
fully distributed and some improvements accom-
pished In part these consisted in the construction
Of a stable and garage building, of 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
intendent as 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 CON-
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 a sus-
pension bridge across the Colorado river at the
foot of the southsde 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 of animal travel from the south to the north
side Of the park 1t will be difficult to administer
the north rim provide for Its proper develop
ment and use by park visitors.
"The north rim, which is, from my own observa-
ton this summer, more beautiful than the south
rim, is practically undeveoped by roads and trails
AS soon as this first suspension bridge Is COM
pleted across the Colorado river 1t is planned to
reconstruct portion of the Bright Angel trail
on the north side Of the river, which will 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 a
part of the trail development planned the north
side Of the park also an additional bridge should
be placed III the vicinity of the present Bass cable
way (about miles to the west). I predict north
and south rim travel will constitute the most in.
teresting and popular of all scenic park trips
"With the construction of these bridges travel
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 near the north rim as 1t will be pos
sble to secure water. Expansions into the Indian
Gardens camping area are planned for the Inn
mediate future. These camps will in way sup
plement the Ell Tovar hotel and the Hermit camp
on the south side, and also the present Wylie es-
adjustment on the north RIM The influx Of tour
lists carries with 1t an increased demand for camp
Ing space, and also larger hotel facilities, and, as
quickly as this demand is recognized, the facilities
will be expanded.