The View from Sandia Peak

We have taken two trips to New Mexico. On our second trip, we decided to spend more time in Albuquerque. The city is really growing fast, and reminds me of Phoenix with all the new construction. We spent most of the day at Sandia Peak, the highest point in New Mexico, just outside Albuquerque. At over 10,000 feet, the mountain looks out over 120 miles of surrounding high desert, including the city of Albuquerque.

Hang Gliding

While we were on the top of the mountain, I was lucky enough to catch a hang glider launching himself out into the open air off the side of the mountain. Not much room for error existed, as the level space fell off sharply after a twenty-foot runup. But the glider caught the air easily and the triangular wing quickly sailed off over the valley floor. It soon shrank too small to be seen.

Reaching the Top

Sandia Peak is reached by an incredible two-mile long tram ride from the valley floor below. At some points the tram dangles over 900 feet above the ground. While there were many people in the tram, we were still able to walk around and look out as the mountain rose around us.