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June, 1998

The Sandia Peak Tram

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By Melissa Corley
Journal Web Staff
I'll be the first to admit that I'm afraid of heights, but even I have been on the Sandia Peak Tramway three times.
The first time was a little hairy, but there is plenty to hold onto and the cable car does not move faster than 12 miles per hour. I like to think of it as an outdoor elevator.

The Tram Location: Take a right just before Tramway Blvd. turns into Tramway Road. Hours: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Tram is open between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. After Labor Day, it is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., except of Wednesdays, when it is only open between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.Tram cars leave the bottom of the mountain every 20-30 minutes. Cost: Ticket prices: $14 for adults, $10 for children and seniors, children under 5 years old ride free. Features: The peak is located at 10,378 feet. The longest clear span between towers is 7,720 feet. Tower 2, located at 8,750 feet, required 5,000 helicopter trips to be completed. The Tram was manufactured in Switzerland by Bell Engineering between 1964 and 1966 for $2 million.

If you are really afraid of heights or get motion sickness very easily, the Tram may not be for you. To lessen the anxiety, however, check the weather before you go. If it is windy, the car does sway a bit from side to side.
I was actually in the Tram once during an electrical storm. The car's operator assured us that if lightning were to strike anywhere near the car, there was a cable above it to absorb the shock. So most of the passengers just oohed and aahed as lightning flashed from what seemed to be feet away.
Despite the operator's assurances, I had the grim thought that our last words would be, "Ooh, how pretty!"
The scenery as you ascend the mountain is enough to allay your fears, however. The Tram is the world's largest, travelling 2.7 miles over cliffs and valleys. From the car, you can see interesting rock formations and maybe even some wildlife, if you're lucky.
I've never seen anything larger than a bird from the Tram, but supposedly mule deer, black bear, raccoons, bobcats, golden eagles and several varieties of hawks live on the mountain.
If you have a sharp eye, you may spot wreckage from a plane that crashed into the mountain in the late 80s.
There is plenty to do once you reach the crest. Twenty-four miles of hiking trails offer their own spectacular views down the mountain. Also, bike paths and a ski lift provide other ways to enjoy the scenery. The air is thinner up there, which takes getting used to if you're planning strenuous activity. Be sure to take bug repellent as well, for although the wildlife may be shy, the insects are not.
If the ride or hike makes you hungry, the High Finance restaurant has fine food and great views. I recommend eating dinner there at sunset. Just be sure to make reservations.
The Four Seasons Visitors Center provides more information about the wildlife and other features of the crest or, to obtain a souvenir of your bravery for having ridden the Tram, there is a gift shop at the bottom.
Even with my fear of heights, my feelings as the Tram car descended back down the mountain were voiced by a rambunctious 6-year-old who asked the car's operator, "Can you reverse this thing?"