This is one of those rare cases where a fixed grip lift replaced a detachable.The new lift services a shortened alignment.Tower 12 and the top terminal.View down the line with the namesake lake in the background.The old lift started further down.Galvanized tower with combination assemblies.View up the lift line.Tower 1.Alpen-Star drive station with loading carpet and gates.Departing the bottom station.View up the line.The top of tower 6.Nearing the summit.Fixed top bullwheel.Another look at the lift line.Lower part of the line.Upper lift line.Another view of the drive terminal.Lift line.Lift overview.View down at tower 11.Arriving at the return.
Really seems like a bummer that a detachable quad got replaced by a fixed grip chairlift. But I suppose, with the original lift being the first of its kind in aerial ropeway history, it also was probably very unreliable and costly to operate, especially considering its age. It’s like Mission Ridge in Washington replacing their Liberator Express with another detachable quad because the first one was originally built in 1985, and even with electronic upgrades it was too unreliable.
But I guess Owl’s Head must run a pretty tight budget operation if they had to opt for a fixed grip to replace a detachable chairlift?
Doesn’t look much shorter when one consults the trail map.
High speed quad:
Fixed grip quad:
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The starting location for Lake seems to be about between towers 4 and 5 of the predecessor:
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Really seems like a bummer that a detachable quad got replaced by a fixed grip chairlift. But I suppose, with the original lift being the first of its kind in aerial ropeway history, it also was probably very unreliable and costly to operate, especially considering its age. It’s like Mission Ridge in Washington replacing their Liberator Express with another detachable quad because the first one was originally built in 1985, and even with electronic upgrades it was too unreliable.
But I guess Owl’s Head must run a pretty tight budget operation if they had to opt for a fixed grip to replace a detachable chairlift?
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