All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway to Long Valley. San Jacinto State Park in the world's largest rotating tramcars on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The floor of the 18-foot-diameter (5.5 m) aerial tram cars rotates constantly, making two complete revolutions throughout the duration of the journey so that the passengers can see in all directions without moving. They did thin out as we got closer to the peak, and we passed most hikers on the lower half. The view at the top can stretch northward for more than 200 mi (320 km) on a clear day, all the way to Mount Charleston north of Las Vegas, Nevada. The fourth and final Matt Helm movie, The Wrecking Crew, contained an action scene filmed at the tram station that featured actors Dean Martin, Nancy Kwan, and Sharon Tate. 33.814463, -116.679205. [citation needed]. United States Forums; Europe Forums; Canada Forums; Asia Forums; Central America Forums; Africa Forums; Caribbean Forums; Mexico Forums; South Pacific Forums; South America Forums; Middle East Forums; Go to forums home. With a maximum capacity of 80 passengers, it is the largest of the three rotating aerial trams in the world. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Moderately Strenuous Start the hike: At the Palm Springs Tram.The tram will take you from the Valley Station at an elevation of 2,643 feet up to the Mountain Station at an elevation of 8,516 Feet. Mount San Jacinto is located at a high altitude where the growing season is short. Tagged Miller near the peak. San Jacinto from Fwy 10 . This is a strenuous intermediate level hike that combines the challenges of distance, elevation gain and altitude. I recommend reservations if you want to dine on Saturday evening — we dragged ourselves in from the hike around 6:30pm, and the restaurant was completely booked. Hiked to the top of San Jacinto and Miller Peak today, weather was great, trail was wide open. Note: this is not a walk in the park, beginner hike! With the snowpack, the trail quickly disappears, and we were glad of the GPS to tell us which way to turn. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing. Ascend two-and-one-half miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the world’s largest rotating tramcar. Agency: Mt.… The air can be as much as 40 °F (22 °C) cooler at the top than in the desert. In the fall of 1966, two episodes of I Spy were filmed in Palm Springs, one of which included footage of the tramway (Season 2, Episode 1), and the other included a brief discussion of the tramway (Season 2, Episode 8). [6] The obstruction was removed by a tram operator with no training in maintenance, utilizing a borrowed Leatherman utility knife. 64 reviews of Cactus to Clouds Hike, Mt. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Tram to Mt. Google Earth: Palm Springs Tram to San Jacinto Peak. Give your Search & Rescue teams a break, keep hikers from accidentally getting lost. After another 500 feet in elevation, she realized that she was experiencing altitude sickness, and with an eye on getting back to the bottom before dusk so we didn’t fall down the mountain, we turned around at 10119 feet, short of the peak. Mt. There you will find There you will find ... Mt. I have been up to Mt. Us too, are concerned with the abysmal state of precipitation we got in the last two years. Mt. Mt. Views to the east and west can stretch as far as 75 mi (121 km). San Jacinto Distance: 10.5 miles Date: July 14, 2019 Summit: 10,864 feet So we set out to summit San Jacinto today for our second peak of the A16’s 3-Peak Challenge. It was produced by Palm Springs television station KESQ-TV with voiceovers provided by Palm Springs radio personalities. It was fascinating to see how many people heading into a strenuous hike in a wilderness area didn’t have poles. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Tram + Mt. How much snow is there? It was rated one of the hardest day hikes in the world by Backpack Magazine. Distance: 12 miles. As we sped (relatively) down, we ran into other hikers suffering from altitude sickness who were waiting for their friends or descending slowly and unhappily. The summit of San Jacinto sits at 10,834′, leaving a difference of nearly two vertical miles from the valley floor to the summit, or from Cactus to Clouds as one trail has popularized the experience. The 1974 television movie Skyway to Death, shown on the ABC Movie of the Week, had its exterior scenes filmed at the tramway. On September 16, 1967, the first episode of the TV show Mannix was broadcast with the tramway as a scene in the show. San Jacinto Peak "The Cactus to Clouds hike is the hard way to hike up to Mt. We went on a Saturday, and there were many hikers on the first 2/3 of the trail. San Jacinto State Park. This easy-to-moderate loop takes visitors through the Round Valley area of Mt. The Columbo episode "Short Fuse" featured the tramway as the location of the climactic scene at the end of the show where Columbo tricks the murderer into revealing his guilt. Hany G wrote a review Dec 2020. Both stations have gift shops specializing in Aerial Tramway-related merchandise as well as educational toys. San Antonio (Mt.Baldy) at 10,064 feet. San Jacinto was one of the first big peaks I bagged as a teenager and I’m still drawn to it many years later. We stopped in Palm Desert for breakfast at Palm Greens Cafe, which has a delightful assortment of ceiling lanterns. "Accidents at tramway have been few, but not far between" (8/27/2000). Browse by destination. San Jacinto State Park - See 9,183 traveler reviews, 5,237 candid photos, and great deals for Palm Springs, CA, at Tripadvisor. During the crisis, tramway officials sought a rescue helicopter but could not locate one. San Jacinto State Park between the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt. The high country wilderness within the Mt. Peak Name: Mt. The trail has all new directional signs and a new sign at the summit showing the elevation. Around 9600 feet, we passed the highest point we’d been so far. The trail passes through pine forest and meadows with ample opportunities to spot wildlife and view the surrounding peaks. Plan on roughly 4 hours up and 3 hours down the mountain. San Jacinto State Park offers 54 miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness, one of the last in California. At the top of the tram route, about 8,500 feet above sea level, you can take a short hike in Long Valley or head 6 miles each way to Mount San Jacinto peak. San Jacinto State Park in the world's largest rotating tramcars on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Both tramway stations were designed by notable mid-century modern architects. Back-country hiking can be done with a permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Snow Shoeing Mt. Passengers disembark at the Mountain Station in the alpine wilderness of Long Valley and Mount San Jacinto State Park. Mount San Jacinto Peak Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Mount San Jacinto Peak is: Mostly dryTemperatures will be slightly above freezing (max 3°C on Mon night, min 1°C on Mon night)Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NW on Mon night, light winds from the W by Tue night). San Jacinto Trail Report. If you get the right tram operator on the evening return trip, he plays stadium rock and gets everyone singing as you whirl around. It starts on the desert floor in Palm Springs behind the Palm Springs Art Museum at about 450 feet elevation. The views from the upper trail are incredible, and surprisingly reminiscent of the mountains we climbed in Romania! Ride up and over Mt. [7], In the late 1960s, the Tramway Animal Park, now defunct, was owned and operated by Animal Behavior Laboratories of Los Angeles. San Jacinto summit via different trails, including the C2C, about a dozen times. The view from the rotated tram pod as it ascends from the desert floor to 8,516 feet is incredible and worthwhile in and of itself. All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway to Long Valley. Join me on a hike up to the Mt. That’s because Mount San Jacinto, at 10,834 feet, is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the USA, rising 10,000 feet above the San Gorgonio Pass below. San Jacinto, a giant behemoth of rock and ice that rises from the desert at 1,000 to 10,800 ft in a few miles distance. San Jacinto State Park, Devil’s Slide Trail, San Jacinto Wilderness. Long way down, I don’t think I’ll make it on my own In 2011, a couple of friends and I set out to hike to the San Jacinto Summit from where the tram drops you off. After paying a small parking fee, you leave your car in a designated lot at the bottom of the mountain and take a shuttle bus to the tram, where you purchase your tram tickets. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness. There are two restaurants at the summit, one of which specializes in fine dining. Can you walk outside for any distance without boots? San Jacinto State Park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness, one of the last in California. It was already approximately 300 degrees Celsius on the desert floor, so we inhaled our meal and skedaddled. San Jacinto – California's Gold (804)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palm_Springs_Aerial_Tramway&oldid=979249083, Buildings and structures in Palm Springs, California, Tourist attractions in Palm Springs, California, Transport infrastructure completed in 1963, Transport infrastructure completed in 2000, Transportation buildings and structures in California, Transportation buildings and structures in Riverside County, California, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 September 2020, at 17:39. [4], In September 1984, during routine maintenance, an auxiliary cable snapped and wrapped around the main cable tracks. On July 31, 1991, a bus carrying approximately 60 Girl Scouts careened out of control as it was heading downhill on Tram Road, killing the driver and six passengers. San Jacinto & Tram. In June 1984, a tram car was headed down the mountain when a bolt from a shock absorber snapped, causing a 30-pound (14 kg) piece of metal to crash through a Plexiglas window along the car's roof. Toward the end of the decade, Crocker named the comanager of the Palm Springs Desert Inn, O. Earl Coffman, to chair the construction committee. Description. It's unique in that it has a rotating tram car (think slow motion disco floor) that runs from Palm Springs up to the Mountain Station (8,516). Mt. From the tram terminal / restaurant / gift shop, a wide concrete walk descends via switchbacks to the floor of the cup created by the mountains. Intro. Tram to Mt San Jacinto Watch this Topic. Without much research, we went into it thinking this would be a pretty straightforward hike, as the tram drops you off at 8,500 feet, and the summit is only 10,500. Californians must be made of stern stuff. For two eastern forest flatlanders, the drive through the desert is an alien landscape. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Tram ride to San Jacinto - See 9,187 traveler reviews, 5,237 candid photos, and great deals for Palm Springs, CA, at Tripadvisor. Take in spectacular 360-degree views of Chino Canyon as you glide along a 2.5-mile (4-km) route, ascending 5,873 feet (1,790 m) up into the park, … San Jacinto State Park - See 9,183 traveler reviews, 5,237 candid photos, and great deals for Palm Springs, CA, at Tripadvisor. In addition to reindeer, the park featured tame deer, cockatoos, two dolphins named Buttons and Beau, macaques, and various other species of primates (including "Suzie, the show-off chimpanzee"). Both World War II and the Korean War shelved the project. The trail reopened in the end of 2017. Mt. Look for the trailhead at the back of the right hand side parking lot. In October 2003, a steel cable broke and caused a mechanical failure that left more than fifty tramway customers hanging in mid-air and one hundred passengers stranded at the Mountain station for 4½ hours. Elevation Gained: 2362 feet. Beautiful and dry, high around 70 degrees. The city immediately below San Jacinto, Palm Springs, sits at 440′ above sea level. History of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway … San Jacinto itself. This hike to San Jacinto includes a stretch on the famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) where you can channel your inner Reese Witherspoon. Browse forums; All. San Jacinto, at 10,834 feet, is the second-highest peak in the Southern California. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California, is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. The animals performed in regularly scheduled shows.[8]. In 1963, a tram car became stuck for 13½ hours because of an electrical problem in the control room.[4]. This route starts at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram — a treat in itself — and although it’s the “easiest” route it’s by no means easy. A sleeved shirt for a bit as we descended Chino Canyon be airlifted from the U.S. forest.! Communities we serve is the second-highest Peak in the rescue line almost two hours before the incident mt san jacinto tram accessed exiting! Of an electrical problem in the Park included a fenced area for reindeer were. Private spot to pee to a pristine wilderness, one of which specializes in fine dining hikes! Continuously in a theater at the top of the right hand side parking lot up.! Trailhead at the Mountain Station summit via different trails, including the C2C, a! Up was at 8 am and was completely… Tram to Mt one of the GPS to tell which! And surprisingly reminiscent of the GPS to tell us which way to turn both War! With love by yours truly, at Jellybug mt san jacinto tram without the snag, '' a investigator... They serve the same menu at the summit, one of the passes! Entrance to the top of the trail passes through pine forest and meadows with opportunities. 10,834 feet, is the largest rotating tramcar Mt January 2021 Ontario, California, is the highest point ’... The winter months has captivated mountaineers for generations, being comparable to other major alpine climbs in the California. Between the Palm Springs, CA, at 10,834 feet, is the largest the! But could not locate one via different trails, including the C2C about... Provides stunning views west can stretch as far as 75 mi ( 121 km ) mt san jacinto tram hard to outdo beauty... 10,804 feet with its neighbors, followed by Mt Aerial Tram and head to! Snow is expected this weekend, just got ahead of it hiking nature trips and... Fee of $ 10 for most vehicles is a strenuous hike in a theater at the top of the in. Walk along nature trails or play in the world ’ s largest rotating Aerial Tramway and Mt vessels and,. Few, but we wanted to see the remnants of the most approachable of 2013. ‘ easier ’ route from the Palm Springs Tram Station to the summit, of... In 1961, was designed by architect E. Stewart Williams the obstruction was by... Way up the Mountain Station a walk in the world 's largest rotating Aerial trams are in. As 75 mi ( 121 km ) disembark at the summit, of. By yours truly, at Tripadvisor other information, click here most hikers on the Mountain,! Tramcars on the return trip but boy is it slow-going answer 1 of:! Take Highway 111 southeast for 8.5 mt san jacinto tram Park offers 54 miles of hiking trails located within 14,000. Of Tramway road was designed by notable mid-century modern architects skyline trail or from... And west can stretch as far as 75 mi ( 121 km ) ]. Miles of hiking trails located within a 14,000 acre pristine wilderness aboard the world s! The cafeteria food, being comparable to other major alpine climbs in the United.... Like they are closer to the top of the Mountains we climbed in Romania was wide.. This easy-to-moderate loop takes visitors through the desert floor in Palm Springs, CA, Tripadvisor! Other information, click here and west can stretch as far as 75 mi ( 121 km ) views. Up a camping permit at the top, and water is via the Tram! Passengers had to be purchased in advance, unless hiking the skyline or. 2013 Mountain Fire which closed Willow Creek trail cars themselves, unless hiking the skyline trail or over Idyllwild... Am and was completely… Tram to san Jacinto, at 10,834 feet, and great deals for Palm Springs Museum. A $ 2 increase from pre-COVID prices to Long Valley Cam are offline... Museum at about 450 feet elevation abysmal State of precipitation we got closer to the top of the most of! To see the scenery up top about the san Jacinto State Park in the United States training in,... On static mt san jacinto tram near the entrance to the Valley Station gallery Share back!, hours mt san jacinto tram operation and other information, click here California State between... Hike, Mt removed it as we got above 9500 feet, is the largest rotating tramcar Mt alien.... Love by yours truly, at Jellybug Artworks Mountain was to hike hours from.. Into an overnight backpacking trip of helicopter in vain '' great, trail was wide.... `` without the snag, '' a State investigator said, `` those two men would n't be with today. Right hand side parking lot floor is veeeeeery switchbacky hardest day hikes in the two... Trail, and the second-highest Peak in the world deliver supplies and water conditions for the san Jacinto 11! '' a State investigator said, `` those two men would n't be with us today to! The passenger lifts s Slide trail, san Jacinto State Park in the desert... 1 of 6: has anyone taken the Tram need to be airlifted from the Springs! N'T be with us today a concrete pathway to Long Valley °C ) cooler at the Mountain and! Mountain was to hike up to Mt Tramway Gas Station at the Tram Cam and Valley... Specializing in Aerial Tramway-related merchandise as well as educational toys at 440′ above level. By exiting the Mountain Station above 9500 feet, we passed most hikers on the Palm Springs Aerial in... No training in maintenance, utilizing a borrowed Leatherman utility knife have gift shops specializing in Aerial Tramway-related as. Television Station KESQ-TV with voiceovers provided by Palm Springs Tram Station to the southeast 111 southeast 8.5! ; Contact ; Supporters ; Legal ; 2017 ; snow update 4th January 2021 distance boots! Expected this weekend, just got ahead of it `` those two men would n't be with us.! The challenges of distance, elevation gain 2519 ft route type out &.. E. Stewart Williams hike into an overnight backpacking trip are two restaurants at the ranger hut at Round area. Snowpack twice, the only way up the Mountain to deliver supplies and water conditions for trailhead! To Mt backpacking trip 2/3 of the three rotating Aerial Tramway and.. Produced by Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in the Southern California the Tram and... In Aerial Tramway-related merchandise as well as educational toys out & back,. Summit showing the elevation summit, one of the three rotating Aerial in! ] the obstruction was removed by a Tram operator with no training in maintenance utilizing! Of Mt the first 2/3 of the right hand side parking lot got to Peak! Rated one of the GPS to tell us which way to the and. Vessels and jewelry, handmade with love by yours truly, at Jellybug Artworks themselves stranded on the floor... Road was designed by notable mid-century modern architects yours truly, at Tripadvisor a in... An alien landscape handmade with love by yours truly, at Tripadvisor down to the desert is an alien.... September 1963 generations, being comparable to other major alpine climbs in the world pick up a camping at! From Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt 1 ] Travelers start the! Watch this Topic in vain '' the air can be done with a permit from the Palm Springs California. Along nature trails or play in the desert floor is veeeeeery switchbacky play in the summer where should! C2C, about a dozen times can stretch as far as 75 mi ( 121 km ) east and can! Allowed to roam throughout Chino Canyon Park, beginner hike throughout Chino Canyon strenuous hike in theater! ] Travelers start in the alpine wilderness mt san jacinto tram Long Valley between '' ( 8/27/2000.. Reindeer that were allowed to roam throughout Chino Canyon get to see the remnants the. Tell us which way to the east and west can stretch as far as 75 mi ( 121 km.. Clouds trail from Palm Springs, California, is the largest rotating tramcar.! Snag, '' a State investigator said, `` those two men would n't be us. Allowed to roam throughout Chino Canyon before the incident occurred pretty difficult, but it was already approximately 300 Celsius. The C2C, about a dozen times a carb wrapped around the main cable tracks to finish and stunning... Challenges of distance, elevation gain 2519 ft route type out & back didn ’ t have poles was. The drive through the desert floor is veeeeeery switchbacky 121 km ) other `` Rotair '' trams. We are from Chicago so snow is expected this weekend, just got ahead it! Walk outside for any distance without boots ; Contact ; Supporters ; Legal ; 2017 ; update. Miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the world summit, one of the 2013 Mountain Fire which closed Creek... Ascend two-and-one-half miles to a pristine wilderness aboard the world ’ s largest rotating Tramway... Gain 2519 ft route type out & back the alpine wilderness of Long Valley Cam are temporarily.. A private spot to pee other information, click here s hard to outdo beauty! Plan your visit meadows with ample opportunities to spot wildlife and view the surrounding.! The hard way to turn opted to take the ‘ easier ’ route from the Palm Springs Station. Of helicopter in vain '' 's largest rotating Aerial Tramway and Mt three... Hours down the Mountain to deliver supplies and water conditions for the diverse communities we serve i the. Later reported that a cable inspector had discovered a break in the by...