to these many matters requires much thought and action, not only on the part of the superintendent, but others that have to do with the affairs of the park. EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED. Grand Canyon National Park is in need of broad development. The most urgent work to be accomplished is perhaps improvement of the present Hermit Rest Rim Road, making it suitable for twoway automobile travel, and the construction of a rim road automobile drive from El Tovar Hotel to Grand View and thence to Desert View; the construction of a comprehensive trail system is equally essential, including a trail to the Colorado River at the confluence of Bright Angel Creek; a trail up Bright Angel Canyon to the north rim; a trail along the north rim from the head of Bright Angel Canyon Trail to Tiyo Point, thence along the rim to the head of Muav Canyon; a trail from Tiyo Point to the Colorado River at the foot of Hermit Trail; a trail down Muav Canyon to the foot of the Bass Trail; and the improvement of the Bass Trail and the Tonto Trail throughout its length, including outlet trails from the Tonto Trail to the South Rim at Grand View and at Desert View. The construction of suspension bridges for horseback travel across the Colorado River at Bright Angel Creek, the foot of Hermit Trail, and at Bass' Cable Crossing, and later on additional trails to develop the South Rim, east to Little Colorado Canyon, and west to Cataract Creek Canyon, are on our program. A secondary road should be constructed from El Tovar to the floor of Cataract Creek Canyon and the Havasupai Indian Reservation in order to open up to tourist travel the wonderful waterfalls and other beauties of the Cataract region. In many places this would only necessitate small improvements to the existing wagon road, and for a relatively small expenditure many miles of roads suitable for automobile use would be added to the park system of roads, and, at the same time, a section having an entirely different type of scencry of extremely interesting nature would be developed. The imperative need for the development of the entire area along the north rim is roads. Tourists arriving at Bright Angel Point after traveling long distances find their auto journey ends abruptly. There is no road leading up the river or down from which the most magnificent views of the gorge can be seen. The majority of visitors want to see the river itself and the mile or more of abyss, neither of which is now possible from Bright Angel Point. A large percentage of the visitors are elderly people who can not stand horseback riding over steep, rough trails and for whom the existing horse trails, therefore, hold no allurements. The situation as to roads should be carefully studied without delay, and improvements and construction concentrated on those most urgently needed. These are the roads furnishing the interesting side trips to the most important vantage points from where the inspiring views of the canyon and the odd glimpses of its great beauty en route to Point Sublime and east to the Walhalla Plateau may be obtained. Later on chalets or camps should be constructed on the north rim at the head of Bright Angel Canyon and Muav Canyon to care for the trail tourists that will use the north side trails when they are built and connected to the South Rim by the horse bridges. It is also quite probable that small tourist camps should be established at the mouth of Bright Angel Creek and at the mouth of Shinumo Creek to assist in caring for this travel. Additional space and facilities should be added to the present Bright Angel Camp to provide an intermediate class of accommodations, which will, in a large measure, relieve any excessive travel demands on the present El Tovar Hotel, so justly termed one of the best tourist hotels in America. Many of the tourists that visit our parks desire hotel accommodations at a lower price than can be furnished at El Tovar, and, on the other hand, want something better than is at present provided by the Bright Angel Camp. It is believed that the demand for this medium class of accommodation is sufficient at the present time to warrant the early action of the concessioners in this respect. ADMINISTRATIVE VILLAGE BETTERMENTS. In the vicinity of El Tovar Hotel many betterments should be made to the grounds, and the canyon rim for some distance should be provided with a footpath having a parapet and seats at frequent intervals. The old shacks and débris should be removed from the canceled mining claims, and the buildings that are permitted to remain should be placed in a good state of repair and made to harmonize with the architecture of El Tovar. Suitable camp sites must be provided and maintained for the automobile tourists that are coming to the park in increasing numbers, and because of the absence of water elsewhere these camps must be in the vicinity of the railroad. Garage and repair-shop facilities must also be arranged for; likewise a general store that will provide tourists and campers with all classes of necessary supplies, such as clothing, food, and general camp and traveling supplies. Buildings necessary for the administration and protection of the park must be erected and quarters for the construction and maintenance force will be needed. Three buildings of a temporary nature. are being constructed this season to serve as a temporary office, storehouse, and mess house, and estimates have been prepared and submitted for the construction of a garage and shop building, a stable, and quarters for a clerk, all at headquarters, and a ranger station for the North Rim, and later on additional ranger stations will be required for both the north and south rims of the canyon. During this fall a thorough study will be made of the surroundings, and plans will be adopted for the best development and arrangement of the administrative site and buildings and the best and most economical type of building for this purpose. It is to be regretted that the stone garage and machine-shop building erected by the hotel management two years ago should be in its present location. The structure is not suitably located for a garage and at the same time it is on or near the site on which the park administration building should be erected. It is believed that it would be to the advantage of both the hotel company and the Government if this garage building might be purchased by the Government and put to park use, and a new garage built near the present horse-transportation buildings of the company or at some other location to be decided on later. |