|
Sandia Peak Tramway
#10 Tramway Loop, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
Phone: (505) 856-7325
Over nine million people cant be wrong! Believe it or not, that is how many people have taken “The Tram” to the top of Sandia Peak since it began over 43 year ago. As one of New Mexico’s most popular attractions, The Tram climbs over 4,000 feet in about 15 minutes, giving passengers a view of over 11,000 square miles of the Land of Enchantment. During the journey, riders will experience the full range of the Sandia Mountain’s ecosystem as desert mountains give way to granite rock faces and low growing desert follage transforms into hardy pines, tall aspens, scrub oak, fir and spruce trees. Keep your eyes pealed for animal life ranging from lizards and desert creatures to mule deer, eagles and maybe even a black bear!
And no matter the time of day or year, the view from all sides is unmatched the world over. Looking north as you make you way up the side of the mountain, you can see eroded volcanos and tall peaks of the distant Jemez mountains. To the west lies the Rio Grande and volcano fields; you can even see Mount Taylor which is over 100 miles away! If you look to the east you can see the heavily wooded backside of the Sandia Mountains – almost close enough to touch. And at the end of the horizon, you can make out the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as well as the capital city of New Mexico, Santa Fe. A quick glance to the south and you will find the Estancia Valley and the Manzano Mountains. When you reach the top you will be standing over 10,300 feet!
The inspiration for this engineering marvel stemmed from a trip to Europe to by of the founders and owners of the Sandia Peak Ski Company. Nordhaus wanted to connect the city of Albuquerque with the Sandia Peak and to offer both world class views and a way for skiers to get to the slopes without having to navigate a half-hour or more drive on an icy, curving mountain road.
It took nearly two years to get the project off the ground. Because of the complexity of the project and the difficulty of the terrain, specialists from topographical engineers, to geologists were needed to determine if the ideas was going to work. In the end, Bell Engineering – an engineering firm from Switzerland who was responsible for the construction of 50 tramways around the world – was brought in to carry out the project. From the start, it was clear that was going to be the most challenging project Bell had ever attempted. It took five months just to sting the 2.7 miles of cable up the mountain.
For two years, crews worked tirelessly to complete the massive undertaking. After construction was complete, the Tram underwent a strenuous 60 day testing period to ensure that the tramway would operate correctly and safely. On May 7, 1966, the fist riders took trip to the Sandia Peak.
Construction took 24 months, then the tram underwent 60 days of strenuous testing. Only then did it take its first riders up Sandia Peak on May 7, 1966.
Checking in at just under three-miles (2.7 miles to be exact), the Sandia Peak Tram is the longest aerial tram of the type in the world. Officially, the Tram is a bi-cable double reversible aerial passenger tramway. Each car can hold 50 riders or around 10,000 pounds and makes around 10,500 trips a year.
|
