This 360 degree panorama was taken across the river from The Ropes Trail after having used a packraft to get a better view of the cliff face where the trail is located. Also of note in this panorama is the thick layer of sandstone and the crystal clear water that has just been released from Glen Canyon Dam near Page, AZ.
The Ropes Trail is actually little more than a route but it descends from the rim to the river just a mile or so downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. From the little bit of research I did I read that the trail originally had steel cables stretching along the exposed (cliff) side to aid the hiker to prevent falling over the edge. Today, most of the cables have been removed but the steel pipe and drill stem stanchions the held the cable still remain. It does not appear that any other kind of trail construction was made.