Most of us have been on a tramway before, whether to ride up to a ski slope or mountain peak - but I think it's safe to say none of us have experienced one quite like this. The Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso takes you up over 5,000 feet in the air, leaving you suspended above the dividing line between Texas and Mexico. There's truly nothing like getting a panoramic view of two countries at once. Read on to see the phenomenon for yourself.
Even driving up the road to get to the tram is part of the fun. It winds up the side of the Franklin Mountains and takes you to a parking area with an elevation of 4,692 feet!
Before boarding the tram, you'll have an opportunity to see the machinery and get an up-close and personal view of exactly how the parts work together to power it. This often alleviates the uneasiness some people feel about dangling over a canyon so high up in the air.
The cable is 2,600 feet long and nearly two inches thick. The ride only takes about four minutes, but those four minutes will be some of the most eventful of your life — you'll see abundant plant and animal life, including reptiles, birds, insects, and cacti.
But by far the most fascinating part of the journey is the fact that you'll have a 7000 square-mile panoramic view spanning two countries: the United States to the East and Mexico to the West. It's absolutely spellbinding to be at the convergence of two separate nations, cultures, and ways of life.
Upon reaching Ranger Peak, which is 5,632 feet above sea level, you'll enter an observation deck with a 360 degree view of the vast beauty and mystique of the Southwest. High-powered telescopes are located inside to further enhance your experience and provide a unique perspective you literally can't get anywhere else.
The tram is located at 1700 McKinley, El Paso, TX 79930.
Have you ever been to Wyler Aerial Tramway? How neat was it to see two countries at once?
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