The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
rode the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram to the top of
Sandia Mountain in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
July 15, 2012

The Sandia Peak Tramway is located adjacent to Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It stretches from the northeast edge of the city to the crest line of the Sandia Mountains and has the world's third longest single span. It claims to be the world's longest aerial tramway.


Below: The two RV Gypsies boarded the tram to see nature's beauty unfold as the tram ascended 2.7 miles to 10,378 feet for an 11,000 square mile view of New Mexico.

Below; The tram rose up the steep western face of the Sandias, giving the Two RV Gypsies a close-up view of red rocks and tall trees. It was not a very sunny day, but the view was still beautiful.

Below: The Two RV Gypsies reached the top of Sandia Mountain and began their exploration by reading some of the signs.



Below: From the observation deck at the 10,378-foot summit, Santa Fe can be seen to the northeast and Los Alamos can be seen to the northwest, about 11,000 square miles of spectacular scenery on a clear day; although there was a lot of haze in the air on this date.




Below: A view of the ski lift on the back side of Sandia Mountain.

Below: The Two RV Gypsies decided to explore one of the many trails on the mountain.

However, after walking almost to the very first corner, Lee Duquette said he did NOT want to go any further on the trail, so they went back to the observation deck without walking the trail. Lee has decided that he did not like heights or being near the edge of a cliff anymore.

Below: Karen Duquette quickly snapped a few photos of the scenery from this advantage point just before the first curve, and the two RV Gypsies returned to the Observation Deck.



Below: Back at the observation deck, a tram was ready to make its way down the mountain.


Below: The tram grew smaller and smaller as it descended Sandia Mountain.

Below: The two RV Gypsies took the next tram down the mountain, and saw a bear and her cub making their way through the trees. Actually, they just looked like two small black rectangles in the woods because the tram was up so high.

Below; Upon arrival at the bottom and docking on the bin (shown in the photo below), the tram operator explained that the bin attaches to the bottom of the tram and that is how they bring water to the top of the mountain each morning.


Before continuing on with the 2012 menu, take a quick trip back in time via a FLASHBACK to 1987, for Karen and Lee Duquette's first ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram. There will be a link at the bottom of that page to take you back here.