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(5 hours, 25
miles, 40.2 kilometers)
Nature has an
overwhelming presence in Albuquerque. The Sandia Mountains, the
Rio Grande, and many other striking natural features have been
considered sacred for centuries.
Start at the Rio
Grande Zoological Park, 903 10th Street SW. The Rio
Grande Zoo is the largest zoo in New Mexico and features many
naturalized habitats including an African savannah, a tropical
rain forest, primate island, lobo woods, the "night
watch," and an experimental birds of prey aviary.
The zoo is
especially noted for its hoofed stock and its herpetology
exhibits. The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: $4.25 adults, $2.25 seniors and children.
After visiting
the zoo, follow 10th Street north to Lead and turn left. A right
on 14th Street and a left on Mountain Road brings you to the New
Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.
A high-tech
masterpiece, the museum contains permanent and changing exhibits
on zoology, botany, geology, and paleontology. The museum is
open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors
and students, $1 children ages 3-11, under 3 free.
The next stop is
the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.
Located on the east bank of the fabled Rio Grande at Candelaria
Road, the Nature Center preserves the wildlife of the bosque
(cottonwood groves) along the river.
The visitor
center, built partially under ground, houses exhibits on the
ecology, geology, and history of the Rio Grande Valley. Outside,
nature trails beckon. The Rio Grande Nature Center is open from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and closed on state holidays.
Admission: $1 adults, 50 cents children, under 6 free.
From the Rio
Grande Nature Center, follow Rio Grande Boulevard north to
Alameda Boulevard through some of the loveliest parts of the Rio
Grande Valley. Watch for pheasants, doves, and New Mexico's
state bird, the roadrunner. Roadrunners are frequently seen
racing cars along the ditches. Follow Alameda east to 4th Street
and 4th north to Tramway.
Proceed east on
Tramway Road past the Bien Mur Indian Market to the foot of the
Sandia Mountains for a ride on the Sandia Peak Tram.
The 2.7-mile
tram ride takes you through four of the earth's seven life
zones. In biologic terms, this is the equivalent of going from
Mexico to Alaska in twenty minutes. Wildlife such as bear and
mule deer can sometimes be seen on the slopes below the
noiseless tram car.
The Sandia Peak
Tram operates from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to
Labor Day. After Labor Day, the tram operates from 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
on Friday and Saturday; and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Packages are
available which include dinner at the High Finance restaurant
atop Sandia Peak. Tram fares: $13 adults, $9.50 seniors and
children 5-12, under 5 free. Parking fee buys a permit good for
repeated use.
During the
summer, the Sandia Peak Ski Area's chairlift operates from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. The chairlift connects with the
tram at the top of Sandia Mountain, offering a gentle 7,500 ft.
glide over green meadows and pine forests. Fare: $4 per person.
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