Wyler Aerial Tramway Closes
After nearly six decades in operation, the Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso is closed until further notice.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which has operated the tram for the past 18 years at Franklin Mountains State Park, made the decision to suspend operations following an engineering analysis conducted as part of a deferred maintenance project that was planned to begin later this fall. Despite passing annual inspections, the latest analysis concluded the tram, built in 1959, has surpassed its life expectancy and is no longer suited for public use. Out of an abundance of caution, TPWD has closed the tramway while it considers its options.
The tramway was donated to TPWD in 1997; it reopened to the public in 2001 following extensive renovation. Replacement of the tram is estimated to cost millions of dollars.
TPWD does not have the financial resources to execute a capital construction project of this size at this time.
Wyler Aerial Tramway features two aerial cable cars that travel over the jagged mountain and rock formations on the east side of the Franklin Mountains to Ranger Peak.
From the summit, about 45,000 visitors per year experience a 360-degree view of two countries and two states.
Indian Lodge Reopens after Renovations
Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park has reopened its doors after months of extensive renovations to more than 35 guest rooms.
Exterior renovations included the replastering of the historic and standard lodge rooms, new heating and air conditioning systems in all rooms, new roofing on all lodge buildings and painting of the lodge’s exterior walls.
“These updates are beneficial to the preservation of Indian Lodge so that it can be enjoyed and experienced by families for years to come,” says Indian Lodge site superintendent Karen Sulewski.
Built in the 1930s, Indian Lodge is a unique inn nestled within the Davis Mountains built to resemble a multilevel pueblo village. With its white adobe walls, Indian Lodge allows visitors to enjoy the rugged beauty of the mountains by day and relax in a comfortable room by night.
