TENT ROCKS OPEN!
Aug 26th, 2011, 09:44 AM
#21
Yes, I agree. Going to a mountain top during lightning and high winds is not a good idea.
I still think the drive down the TT is a good idea - given isabel expressed interest in it - en route to Alb. It would give her the option to stop at Sandia IF it's not storming too. I'm sure isabel would not opt to go up a tram to the top of a mountain during a thunderstorm with "lightening and high winds". At least, I hope she wouldn't.
I still think the drive down the TT is a good idea - given isabel expressed interest in it - en route to Alb. It would give her the option to stop at Sandia IF it's not storming too. I'm sure isabel would not opt to go up a tram to the top of a mountain during a thunderstorm with "lightening and high winds". At least, I hope she wouldn't.
Aug 26th, 2011, 09:51 AM
#22
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The problem is getting to the peak from Tent Rocks. She would either have to back track to Santa Fe and then head down the TT or drive all the way into ABQ from Tent Rocks and then go up 14 to the Peak and then drive back down back into town. That is quite a ride, time wise and she would be in traffic most likely on a Friday afternoon.
I think all this is probably moot, anyway, since isabel is most likely not going to see any of this until after she is checked into her motel. Well, it's good info for others in any case.
I think all this is probably moot, anyway, since isabel is most likely not going to see any of this until after she is checked into her motel. Well, it's good info for others in any case.
Aug 26th, 2011, 10:23 AM
#23
"That is quite a ride, time wise..."
I guess that's how we see this differently. She's at the end of a three week driving vacation and asking for suggestions for the last afternoon/ evening. Even if she were to drive all the way back to the airport, it's just 20 miles back up to the tram. She mentioned the TT before and her only time constraint is to be at the hotel near the airport for an early bedtime before her flight. I think the view from Sandia Peak would be a great way to end her trip. You think a zoo or ballgame would be the better ending - and that the drive to the tram is "too much driving". It would not be for me - but I understand now that it would be too much for you. Different strokes and all that, I suppose.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=location
Map - she'll be passing Exit 234 on I25 as she drives south from Tent Rocks.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=tramway
"A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain a distance of 2.7 miles. See some of nature’s more dramatic beauty unfold before you. At sunset the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color, and your vantage point from the observation deck atop 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest affords an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment."
"Sandia Peak Tramway voted Best Place to take an out-of-town guest by the Alibi weekly newspaper Best Bird's Eye View in Reader's Digest Best 100 Views"
I guess that's how we see this differently. She's at the end of a three week driving vacation and asking for suggestions for the last afternoon/ evening. Even if she were to drive all the way back to the airport, it's just 20 miles back up to the tram. She mentioned the TT before and her only time constraint is to be at the hotel near the airport for an early bedtime before her flight. I think the view from Sandia Peak would be a great way to end her trip. You think a zoo or ballgame would be the better ending - and that the drive to the tram is "too much driving". It would not be for me - but I understand now that it would be too much for you. Different strokes and all that, I suppose.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=location
Map - she'll be passing Exit 234 on I25 as she drives south from Tent Rocks.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=tramway
"A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain a distance of 2.7 miles. See some of nature’s more dramatic beauty unfold before you. At sunset the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color, and your vantage point from the observation deck atop 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest affords an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment."
"Sandia Peak Tramway voted Best Place to take an out-of-town guest by the Alibi weekly newspaper Best Bird's Eye View in Reader's Digest Best 100 Views"
Aug 26th, 2011, 10:55 AM
#25
That's what I said -
"She mentioned the TT before"
I suggested the tram -
starrs on Aug 26, 11 at 12:06pm isabel, re the afternoon - have you been up to Sandia Peak?
http://www.sandiapeak.com/
"Anyway, you apparently know the area better than me."
I wouldn't say that. What I DID say is I think the tram and the view from Sandia Peak would be a great way to end a 3 week driving vacation.
You made suggestions after that, and they may be THE perfect idea for isabel. I merely suggested Sandia Peak. It's popular for a reason and it's suggested often on this board. I agree with you that going to a mountain top during a storm with high winds and lightning is a bad idea - but I doubt anyone would choose that.
Your other caution was the amount of driving. If she was trying to make a doctor's appointment, I agree that it's not the fastest routing. But it's the last afternoon/evening of a 3 week vacation. We're not talking about a huge detour here.
She could head south from Tent Rocks on a scenic slower route, get in some of the TT, AND head over to the tram IF it's not storming.
She could head south from Tent Rocks on I25 and get off the exit to the tram well before she hits Alb. traffic.
It's it's storming, she'd probably opt out of the drive to the tram.
No matter what she decides, I'm sure she'll enjoy her last afternoon. We usually drove around seeing as much as possible before coming into town just in time to pack and sleep before our flights. Personally, I'd go back to Santa Fe to eat dinner, walk around and say goodbye and then drive to the airport in early evening. But that DEFINITELY would qualify as "too much driving"
"She mentioned the TT before"
I suggested the tram -
starrs on Aug 26, 11 at 12:06pm isabel, re the afternoon - have you been up to Sandia Peak?
http://www.sandiapeak.com/
"Anyway, you apparently know the area better than me."
I wouldn't say that. What I DID say is I think the tram and the view from Sandia Peak would be a great way to end a 3 week driving vacation.
You made suggestions after that, and they may be THE perfect idea for isabel. I merely suggested Sandia Peak. It's popular for a reason and it's suggested often on this board. I agree with you that going to a mountain top during a storm with high winds and lightning is a bad idea - but I doubt anyone would choose that.
Your other caution was the amount of driving. If she was trying to make a doctor's appointment, I agree that it's not the fastest routing. But it's the last afternoon/evening of a 3 week vacation. We're not talking about a huge detour here.
She could head south from Tent Rocks on a scenic slower route, get in some of the TT, AND head over to the tram IF it's not storming.
She could head south from Tent Rocks on I25 and get off the exit to the tram well before she hits Alb. traffic.
It's it's storming, she'd probably opt out of the drive to the tram.
No matter what she decides, I'm sure she'll enjoy her last afternoon. We usually drove around seeing as much as possible before coming into town just in time to pack and sleep before our flights. Personally, I'd go back to Santa Fe to eat dinner, walk around and say goodbye and then drive to the airport in early evening. But that DEFINITELY would qualify as "too much driving"
Sep 23rd, 2011, 06:55 AM
#27
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Glad I read that it was open on this forum; we went this past Monday, and it was spectacular. The road to the main parking lot for Cave Loop and the slot canyon trails was open, but it was closed at that point (for the farther-along Veteran's Memorial vista 1 mile loop trail).
And to the nasty people who seriously said we weren't even "remotely close" to the top (when I laughingly asked "this is the tough part, right?"): I'm recovering from a long illness, and was thrilled to even get to the steep part, but was worried about conserving my strength. I sent DH ahead (he's old, but a runner; didn't want his walk to be spoiled by me), and decided to try to slog on after a brief rest. Met him almost at the top, coming back down to get me, because the trail was a cinch after the switchbacks. I don't know that couple thought I wasn't worthy, or whatever, of finishing the last bit of a hike. But I've encouraged and exchanged details with people on hikes in Colorado for decades, and would never dream of giving false information when asked.
And to the nasty people who seriously said we weren't even "remotely close" to the top (when I laughingly asked "this is the tough part, right?"): I'm recovering from a long illness, and was thrilled to even get to the steep part, but was worried about conserving my strength. I sent DH ahead (he's old, but a runner; didn't want his walk to be spoiled by me), and decided to try to slog on after a brief rest. Met him almost at the top, coming back down to get me, because the trail was a cinch after the switchbacks. I don't know that couple thought I wasn't worthy, or whatever, of finishing the last bit of a hike. But I've encouraged and exchanged details with people on hikes in Colorado for decades, and would never dream of giving false information when asked.
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