From Palms to Pines on Mt. San Jacinto Tramway

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway makes it easy for hikers to enter Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness Area. Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, a tram takes passengers from 2,643-foot Lower Aerial Tramway Terminal (Valley Station) to 8,516-foot Upper Aerial Tramway Terminal (Mountain Station) at the edge of the wilderness.

The Swiss-made gondola rapidly leaves terra firma behind. Too rapidly, you think. It carries you over one of the most abrupt mountain faces in the world, over cliffs only a bighorn sheep can scale, over several life zones, from palms to pines. The view is fantastic.

Construction of the tramway was opposed by conservationists who pointed out that Mt. San Jacinto slopes were totally unsuited to its stated purpose--skiing. First proposed in the 1930s, the project was finally completed in 1963 after approval and funding from the state of California.

Now, most nature lovers enjoy witnessing flora and fauna changes equivalent to those viewed on a motor trip from the Mojave Desert to the Arctic Circle in just minutes. In pre-tramway days, John Muir found the view “the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this Earth!”

For an introduction to the Alpine environment of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, take the short nature path that begins at Mountain Station, then join Desert View Trail for a superb panorama of Palm Springs. After enjoying the view of the arid lands below, you can extend your hike by looping through lush Round Valley.

Directions to trailhead: From California 111 at the northern outskirts of Palm Springs, turn southwest on Tramway Road and drive 3 1/2 miles to the tramway terminal.

The hike: From Mountain Station, walk down the paved pathway to the signed beginning of the trail to Desert View. You join the nature trail for a short distance, cross the path used by the “mule ride” and soon get the first of a couple of great desert views. The view takes in Palm Springs, Tahquitz and other palm-lined canyons of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, along with the basin and hills of the Coachella Valley.

Continue on Desert View Trail, which makes a full circle and junctions with the path back up to Mountain Station. For a longer hike, walk through the Long Valley Picnic Area to the state park ranger station. Obtain a wilderness permit here.

Continue west on the trail, following the signs to Round Valley. The trail parallels Long Valley Creek through a mixed forest of pine and white fir, then climbs into lodgepole pine country. Lupine, monkeyflower, scarlet bugler and Indian paintbrush are some of the wildflowers that add seasonal splashes of color.

After passing a junction with a trail leading toward Willow Creek, another three-tenths mile of hiking brings you to Round Valley. There’s a trail camp and a backcountry ranger station in the valley and splendid places to picnic in the meadow or among the lodgepole pines. The truly intrepid hiker will head for the summit of Mt. San Jacinto, a 3 1/2-mile ascent from Round Valley.

An alternative to returning the same way is to retrace your steps three-tenths of a mile back to the junction with Willow Creek trail, take this trail a mile through the pines to another signed junction and follow the signed trail north back to Long Valley Ranger Station. This alternative adds only about a quarter-mile to your day hike and allows you to make a loop.

Desert View Trail

Mountain Station

to Desert View:

2 miles round trip

Mountain Station

to Round Valley:

6 miles round trip;

600-foot elevation gain