Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs

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Here we are! My family went up on a HOT june afternoon to take a tram ride. A great idea since it is about 30 degrees F cooler up there and on a day where the temperature reached 112f, that was perfect!

The tram is fast and the view is amazing. On a clear day you can see very very very far!
Within the Mount San Jacinto Park one can have loads of fun Hiking, Camping, there are guided Nature walks, in the winter there are tons of activities and the tram is handicap Accessible!
Cars depart at least every half hour from 10 a.m., Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. weekends and holiday periods. Last car up is 8 p.m. with the last car down at 9:45 p.m

There is a restaurant once you reach the top, but a picnic with your own food is more exciting!
Tickets are about $22.00 for adults.

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When one thinks of Palm Springs, hiking and cross country skiing rarely cross the mind. However, atop the aerial tramway lies the Mount San Jacinto State Park. They have over 54 miles of hiking trails, and in the winter the Adventur Center rents Cross Country skis and snow shoes.

If you go in the winter dress warm, or in layers and be prepared for snow.

For the best views of the Coachella Valley, take the Aerial Tramway to the top of the mountain. This is a great way to spend the day. The ride up is pretty fun, the tramcar has a rotating floor, and you can see in all directions, without moving. If you like to hike, there are numerous trails that you can enjoy. If you are not the hiking type, you can just enjoy the views and the fresh air and grab lunch at the restaurant. If you go during the winter, make sure to bring warm clothes and closed toe shoes with you, as you most likely be in the snow.

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This was an experience I will never forget and I know my family will remember it fondly. This tram is the world's largest rotating tramcar and you will some awesome sights while it takes you to the top following along sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. I kid you not at one point it is practically taking you all the way up a side of a cliff. I hate heights, but I knew my family would enjoy this.

They have various parking lots along the road up to the main area, because the parking areas are small due to being in a canyon. So we parked in the nearest, but hopped on the bus that took us to the main building. Here we purchased our ticket and waited till our time slot for our tram.

They have you board in a separate room. We boarded and I was thankful they had all the windows ajar to catch fresh air. We started our 10-minute ride starting at 2,643 ft. from the Valley Station and it rises to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft. Ok, I was not all that happy but everyone assured me it will be ok, but I did it and I am proud of it.

I will tell you and the conductor does warn everyone it will “swing some” when you pass the towers…ok..wow…did not like that….LOL..one bit:)! Yet, once on top I was given a breath taking view of the whole Coachella Valley. It was well worth the trip and I will say when we left, going down was A-OK.

Once on top, you have some wonderful viewing areas, dining facilities, mini nature museum, gift shop, camping, guided tours and awesome hiking trails. During winter you can cross-country ski, and snowshoe.

Recorded information: 760-325-1391

9:45 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m weekends and holidays. Cars depart at least every half hour. Last car.

Literally an Overview. 360ø of WOW!!! You can see the entire valley from the top. A great way to orient yourself. The ride up is amazing. Takes only 12 minutes, and is about 30ø cooler. Greta place to hike, learn and lunch.

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Most people dont want to do this in the summertime because they think that it is just too hot. The truth is that up on this tram you go to areas that are 20 to 40 degrees cooler than at the bottom.
For example today we went on the tram. It was 120 degrees in Palm Springs. It was hot and sunny. When we got to the top of the aerial tramway it was about 70 degrees. At one point I thought it was even cooler than that and it also started rainning.
On a clear day this ride gives you a beautiful view of the city and the valley below. There are about 54 different trails to hike also.
Cars depart at least every half hour with the first car up Monday-Friday at 10am; first car up weekends and holiday periods at 8am. Sorry no pets allowed.
Adults $22.25
Children $15.25 (ages 3-12)
In the summertime if you go after 3pm the price is alot cheaper.

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Whether you're adventurous or not, this is one of the main must dos in Palm Springs. We rode lots of tramways, but this one is unique while it's the world's largest rotating tram car. The ride, from 2,643 feet to the 8,516 foot high mountain station takes 10 minutes.
At full speed, you'll see the nature changing from desert to Alpine wilderness... at least, that's what a voice is telling you in the cable car, accompanied by the music of Ottmar Liebert.

In my opinion, the Alpine wilderness it totally different from what we saw on the top click here to compare.
See next tip for a view of the San Jacinto wilderness.

We loved the stunning view over the valley coming down from Mount San Jacinto.

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First we were a bit dissapointed when we saw the concrete path going down from the station to the forest, but after a while the concrete became a normal dirth path.
However... the surrounding area was commercially arranged with notices about trees and animals. A few short hikes (suitable for slipper or sneaker wearing tourists) were signposted and there was crowd and voices everywhere.
My husband and I felt quite silly with our hiking boots and sticks.
Still, we were happy to have those sticks, while a part of the area was covered with snow. It was even diffcult to find the path because of the snow.

Of course there are other, longer and more quiet hiking trails, but we were told you need a permit for it. Anyway, hiking in the snow is perhaps not such a good idea when you don't know the trail.

Long Valley, as is called this place, made me think at the forest of the cartoons of "Chip and Dale". I had never seen this kind of scene. A valley at the top of a mountain. Quite peculiar with scattered pine trees. Very different from the European Alps.

When we were in Palm Springs in March 2007, we stared out at this chairlift every day -- our bedroom window faced Mt. St. Jacinto. During our week in PSm we never made it. I have read that the price is $22 (little less in the evening), and the website talks about the world's largest rotating tram ride -- Whoo hooo!

But I haven't found out anything about the trails at the top yet. We are going to PS again in March 2008 and this time we will spend a day up there, so I have to find out before then.

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Well in our case there really was no way we could go skiing. In the Valley where Palm Springs was it was just hot. Ok temperatures are about 30 degrees fahrenheit lower on top of Mount San Jacinto but it still was very nice. The tram besides going up also revolves 360 degrees so everyone has a great view.

After a short look around at the mountain station, because there really wasn't that much to do. We went out for a Hike. But i tell more about that in another tip.

Tickets for the tram are $ 21,95 for adults.

Cars depart at least every half hour with the first car up Monday-Friday at 10am; first car up weekends and holiday periods at 8am. Last car up is 9 p.m. with the last car down at 10:30 p.m.