Travel To The Top Of the World

Well, maybe not the top of the world, but at least the top of Albuquerque.

Many of you have seen my photos of Albuquerque, as taken from the top of Sandia Peak. Some of you have asked how I got that high. Well, here is a photo essay on

 "My Trip to the Top"

The scenery steals the show on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
The Tram, as it is affectionately known, has taken more than 9 million passengers to the top of Sandia Peak and back again, and celebrates its 44th anniversary in May. Located on the eastern edge of Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, the Tram is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Central New Mexico.

Although the Tram, the world's longest passenger aerial tramway, is an engineering marvel, visitors come mainly for the spectacular view - 11,000 square miles of the Land of Enchantment. Passengers ascend 4,000 feet in about 15 minutes, gliding along the western face of the rugged Sandia Mountains. The granite rock faces, eroded into spires, cliffs and pinnacles, the aspens, hardy pines, scrub oak, fir and spruce, are home to many different birds and other animals. Tram riders may see an eagle or a mule deer or perhaps a black bear as they look out the windows of the cable car into the deep canyons.

No matter what time of day, the view is unparalleled. West across the Rio Grande and a volcano field, Mount Taylor rises, more than 100 miles away. To the north is Cabezon, a stump of an eroded volcano, and other volcanic necks and plugs. To the north and west, Redondo Peak stands tall in the Jemez Mountains, rising from a caldera known as the Valle Grande, a volcanic crater reported to be the largest in the world.

To the east lies the heavily wooded backside of the Sandias and, on the far horizon, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the capital city of Santa Fe. Farther to the south, the Estancia Valley and the Manzano Mountains frame the view. The view from 10,378 foot summit parallels what one might see from a very still airplane on a scenic flight.

Keep a lookout for my next photo essay on "High Finance", the restaurant at the top of Sandia Peak.

Sandia Peak Tram Boarding Station

This Tram is heading up the mountain. We are waiting on the next one.

And here she comes!

I can't wait to ride this thing!!

And here we go. You can see the Boarding Station beow and to the right.

Things are starting to get smaller and smaller.

Higher and Higher we go!

We are getting close to the top.

We made it to the top!!

The view from up here is breathtaking!

As I said earlier, watch for my post (with pics) of the restaraunt at the top!