Sandia Peak Aerial Tram

Friday morning our neighbours, Joe and Bonnie, asked us if we would like to join them on a tram ride up to Sandia Peak.  They had a rental car courtesy of the Ford dealer so we piled in for the drive.  The tram travels a distance of 2.7 miles up to the peak which is at an elevation of 10,378 ft.  Thats almost a 4,000 ft change in elevation from the city of Albuquerque.  On the opposite side of the mountain are ski trails and chair lifts which will be open this winter plus a multitude of hiking trails.  There is also a restaurant however it closed last week and they are in the process of demolishing and rebuilding it.  Will be interesting to see how they get construction equipment and materials up to the top of the mountain.  There is a road to the top but don’t think its well suited to large trucks.  We walked around taking in the views and a few of the short climbs had me huffing and puffing.  This was partially due to the elevation however we have been pretty sedentary the past few months so it will take some conditioning before we venture out on any long desert hikes.  

An old storage shed in the back of Enchanted Trails RV Park had a bunch of colourful old signs

They also had about 6 old cars and trailers.  The trailers could be rented out for overnight stays.  

I much prefer our 37' Montana than this old Winnibago

Great views from the top of Sandia Peak

The corner of the restaurant and the view 

One of the problems with these views over large cities is the haze which is pollution induced

The tram that took us to the top.  Can hold 55 people but that is packed like sardines and they prefer to keep it to 35.  On the way down one of the workers climbed on top of the tram for the ride down at the end of his work day.  He was harnessed in but still.......!

You can see for miles and miles.  should put that phrase to music.

The ski lifts on the back side of the mountain. 

At the top right a cabin built years ago.  Originally of wood but it blew down.  Rebuilt out of wood and blew down again.  Rebuilt out of stone.  No problems now.  Even a big bad wolf can't blow this one down. 

The pulleys and cables that take us up and down safely. 

Next stop Sun Valley, Az.