Last Friday night was the birthday of one of my new friends. In honor of her birthday, and on her suggestion, we decided to ride the Sandia Peak Tramway up the mountain and have dinner at the restaurant at the top after work. The Sandia Peak Tramway is billed as the world's longest tramway - 2.7 miles up the side of the Sandia Mountains from 5,000 ft above sea level to 10,000 ft atop Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest. The top point is not actually a "peak", and is, in fact, 1.5 miles from Sandia Crest - the highest point in the range. Additionally, it is the third world's longest single span (from the second tower to the top at 7720 ft long). It was built in 1966 by Bell Engineering of Lucerne, Switzerland. It is known as a reversible jigback system - meaning one car ascends as the other descends. In fact, the conductor did tell us we couldn't open the doors to our car until the other car had safely docked at the bottom. The Tramway is used year round by tourists and in the winter for skiing.
So here's the ironic part of the trip. It's almost always sunny in Albuquerque - something like 300 days a year of sunshine. The rare rainstorms are few and brief. There's almost never an entire day of cloudy conditions. So the one evening we pick to ride the tram and view the sunset, it clouds up all afternoon and starts raining by 5:30 pm. Fortunately it was clear enough to get a little bit of color from the sunset in the sky....this was the best pic I could manage with my little camera. I really have to get a better camera.
Normally the fee for a "flight" or tram ride is $20 per adult. But when you make reservations at the restaurant up top, you get a $5 discount. So we purchased our tickets and waited for our flight time. As we waited in line, we noticed several other passengers with coats and boots. We looked at each other - none of us had thought to bring coats. We'd forgotten it is much colder at the peak. Then we noticed the electronic sign on the wall that noted the current temperature at the peak - 37 degrees. Uh-oh. Well, nothing to do at this point but push on ahead. We decided that most likely we wouldn't even have to go outside as the restaurant was probably attached to the same building on the top.
A large group of us entered the car and arranged ourselves, cameras in hand, around the edges at the windows. The car operator or conductor (not really sure what to call him) announced our departure and talked about the difference in altitudes. It was raining harder - spattering against the glass sun roof and the front window of the car as we started out. Then the conductor announced that we would pass two towers on the way up - and we could expect a small amount of swinging as we passed each one. Swinging? At 7,000+ feet and rising? Swinging?! I admit to being a little nervous about that. Despite having recently read an article about the safety of the cars, and the safety procedures and inspections done regularly on the cables. We looked out the windows at the back as the car rose and everyone exclaimed over the beautiful view of the city lights as the sky darkened.
When we reached the first tower and the slight swing, it was a little disconcerting - but not too bad - just a gentle sway really. I think maybe my recent history of loopy rides at the fair had me just a little nervous about the swinging - combined with the dark and rain. By the time we reached the top, the crowd had gotten a little quieter - and when we docked we realized we'd be walking outside to the tramway building. It was raining, and hailing and 33 degrees. Lovely. September. In Albuquerque. Where we recently had a week of 90 degree temps. Okaaayyyy, this was unreal - like landing in a foreign country. Carefully we made our way across the hail strewn deck, wind and rain and sleet buffeting us and whipping our hair around. After a short walk inside, we then made our way back out again down a few short stairs and over the to the restaurant, High Finance. High Finance is a very nice restaurant (averaging $25/entree) with very good food. After a lovely meal there, looking out at the lights of the city, we decided that we needed to try and make another trip up during the day so we could see the views better. I have to admit it was my lateness added to the rain that had us missing the sunset. But we did get some nice views of the city lights below us from the deck of the restaurant once it stopped raining. After all, it is Albuquerque, the rain didn't last that long.
On the ride down, it was much less crowded - including an older couple of whom the wife had needed oxygen at the top. The altitude got to her. Although it was very dark at that point, we did pass a neon lit sign just below the peak asked the question, "Will you Marry Me?". The conductor stated that a young woman had ridden up by herself - passing the sign, and was met at the top by the young man who proceeded to propose!! How wonderfully romantic and creative!!! Not much could top that! All in all it was a wonderful evening and I can't wait to go back to ride again in the daylight.
Postscript: In fact, I did go back today to snap a few pictures of the view from the base of the tramway station. I didn't have time to ride the tram again just now, but couldn't resist more pics of the Sandias. I do love mountains. So enjoy....
So here's the ironic part of the trip. It's almost always sunny in Albuquerque - something like 300 days a year of sunshine. The rare rainstorms are few and brief. There's almost never an entire day of cloudy conditions. So the one evening we pick to ride the tram and view the sunset, it clouds up all afternoon and starts raining by 5:30 pm. Fortunately it was clear enough to get a little bit of color from the sunset in the sky....this was the best pic I could manage with my little camera. I really have to get a better camera.
Normally the fee for a "flight" or tram ride is $20 per adult. But when you make reservations at the restaurant up top, you get a $5 discount. So we purchased our tickets and waited for our flight time. As we waited in line, we noticed several other passengers with coats and boots. We looked at each other - none of us had thought to bring coats. We'd forgotten it is much colder at the peak. Then we noticed the electronic sign on the wall that noted the current temperature at the peak - 37 degrees. Uh-oh. Well, nothing to do at this point but push on ahead. We decided that most likely we wouldn't even have to go outside as the restaurant was probably attached to the same building on the top.
A large group of us entered the car and arranged ourselves, cameras in hand, around the edges at the windows. The car operator or conductor (not really sure what to call him) announced our departure and talked about the difference in altitudes. It was raining harder - spattering against the glass sun roof and the front window of the car as we started out. Then the conductor announced that we would pass two towers on the way up - and we could expect a small amount of swinging as we passed each one. Swinging? At 7,000+ feet and rising? Swinging?! I admit to being a little nervous about that. Despite having recently read an article about the safety of the cars, and the safety procedures and inspections done regularly on the cables. We looked out the windows at the back as the car rose and everyone exclaimed over the beautiful view of the city lights as the sky darkened.
Postscript: In fact, I did go back today to snap a few pictures of the view from the base of the tramway station. I didn't have time to ride the tram again just now, but couldn't resist more pics of the Sandias. I do love mountains. So enjoy....
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