Sandia Peak Tramway and South Crest Trail

Albuquerque, NM
September, 19, 2013



The Tram from Pino Trail

 The Sandia Peak Tramway or The Tram as it is known around Albuquerque is a must do if visiting in the area. Joe and I chose to ride The Tram for 2 reasons...first it is way fun and second, it's the only way we had time to hike the Crest Trail.

We first spotted The Tram when we were hiking on the Pino Trail. The Sandia Peak Tram is 2.7 miles in diagonal length and is a bi-cable double reversible aerial passenger tramway.

...to the top!

Bottom...

The car we met in the middle!

Both the tramcars are attached to hauling cables and the weight of the downhill tramcar helps to pull the uphill car to the top. When the tramcars pass in the middle, they are almost 1000 feet above the ground.




Top speed of the tramway is 24 feet per second, averaging about 12 mph.

Towers one and two

Tower one is located at an elevation of 7010 feet and is 232 feet tall. It leans at an 18 degree angle to evenly support the cables.  Tower two, located at 8750 feet is 80 feet tall. Helicopters were used to build this tower as the terrain was to difficult to build a construction road to ascend the rocky face to the required tower location.

More than 10,000,000 people have enjoyed the tramway ride since it took its first passengers up in May, 1966.

The views are quite spectacular...you can see about 8% of New Mexico! Unfortunately, my pictures weren't very good thru the window...sorry!

A little chilly at the top!

We climbed nearly 4000 feet in 15 minutes...now that was a WOW!

There are several hiking trails at the top of the Sandia Peak. Our first choice was to walk the Crest Trail...south towards Pino Trail where we had stopped the day before. 

 This was another WOW! and speechless moment...walking in the clouds,








and on a bed of granite!
















The pictures do not do the views we saw justice. We were surrounded by beauty in all directions! Enjoy... 

It was a wonderful morning! Another hike we highly recommend if you are in the area.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

 

...enjoy the view!

 

 

Albuquerque...So Far

September 15-18,2013
Albuquerque, NM

We arrived at the American RV Park on the west side of Albuquerque last Saturday. Its an OK campground, except for 2 things ...first, the goathead thorns that we keep stepping on and second, the asphalt roads will be very nice once the resurfacing with stinky tar is finished.

Belle all settled in at American RV Park

We have been busy... a trip to Albertsons where we finally found honeycrisp apples (my favorite), Sears where Joe found the toolbox he wanted (it fits perfectly in the bay), REI where I found a much needed pair of walking shoes (not for hiking) and 4 Wheel Parts and Service where a new back bumper for Pearl was ordered (and will be installed on Friday).

With those things out of the way...it was time to explore. A trip into Old Town was at the top of my list. Old Town is the historic district in Albuquerque dating back to 1706 when the Spanish founded the city.

We were starving...yummy smells of Mexican food filled the air so we stopped at the first place we saw...Hacienda del Rio. We both LOVE Mexican food. And we were not disappointed.


We chose to eat outside. Guacamole came first with corn chips and red and green chili sauce. Best guacamole (made in house) we have ever eaten!

The Plaza

We enjoyed stuffed flat bread with beef, smothered in red chili sauce with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. A feast!

After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll. Old Town is about 10 blocks of historic adobe buildings grouped around a central plaza.

Peppers are hanging to dry everywhere.

 Colorful places to sit and enjoy filled the walks.

 Many of the pueblo-Spanish style homes have been converted  into boutiques, art and souvenir shops and restaurants.  One boutique I especially liked was the Old Town Hat Shop. I couldn't believe the great prices and huge selection.

I bought 3 hats!

 This morning it was back to nature and it sure felt good! For our first hike we picked the Pino Trail. Its about a 4 mile hike one way to the Crest Trail.

 Its a moderate hike on a well maintained trail. It is big climb up... elevation gain is 3341 feet. Some parts were very steep, but mostly it was just a steady climb.



The first mile or so from the parking lot, the trail wanders thru a high desert canyon. It connects the stark cactus...















...to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and beauty of the fir highlands.























We enjoyed beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains. The core of the range consists of granite approximately 1.5 billion years old. The highest point is Sandia Crest at 10,678 feet.

 Once in the wilderness area, the trail was mostly shady...nice!

 



 There were many views of Albuquerque...

 Look very close at the white spot just to the right of the center of the picture... (if you click on the picture it will enlarge the photo)

a close up...its the Sandia Peak Tramway.

This was a wonderful hike...we both highly recommend it.


Life is good!

 

 I forgot to mention we stopped by PetSmart too.

 

Until next time..

 take care and enjoy the view!