Wyler Aerial Tramway Hike This Weekend

If you're looking for something fun and healthy to do this weekend, you should go to the Wyler Aerial Tramway. The weather is going to be beautiful and the hike is early enough in the morning that you won't be too hot while hiking and you'll be finished with plenty of time to go grab a Bloody Mary and brunch afterward.

The hike is this Sunday, October 27, at 7:00 a.m. You'll be walking up the Thousand Steps Trail. The trailhead is at 4999 Stanton. You need to make sure you wear hiking shoes or boots, bring plenty of water for you and your party, layer your clothing so you can be comfortable no matter how hot or cold you get, and sunscreen. Just because it's not summer doesn't mean you don't need some SPF. You can also wear your Halloween costume, but just make sure you wear something that you can hike in.

The Wyler Aerial Tramway has been closed since September of last year. The tramway had been in operation for almost sixty years and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had operated the tram for the past 19 years. Officials say a recent engineering analysis that was part of a planned deferred maintenance project that was scheduled for the fall prompted the decision to close.

The tramway passed annual inspections but the most recent analysis showed that the tram was past its life expectancy and should no longer be used by the public. The Wyler Aerial Tramway was not open to the public when it first opened. It was used to maintain television transmission towers. After extensive renovations, the tramway was re-opened to the public in 2001. Tramways built after the Wyler tramway follow national tramway standards.

Even though the Tramway is closed, there are still events in and around the area that you can take advantage of and you should. The area is gorgeous.