Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

During the last week in January, while the Eastern U.S. was in a deep freeze, we flew to Palm Springs where Charley was on business.  After he wrapped up his work, we drove to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and took the rotating tramcar that travels up Mount San Jacinto suspended from thick cables. 

The tramcar inched up the mountain, passing a wilderness of Sonoran desert scrub plants and white rocks, slowly revolving so passengers could see all directions.  It stopped at the Alpine state park at the top of Mount San Jacinto, a 14,000 acre wilderness with a forest of evergreen trees and large white rocks.

The park contains 54 miles of hiking trails, but we selected an easy self-guided nature walk.  The rock piles near the visitors center were stunning.

The trees were weather-worn and full of character.

Mount San Jacinto State Park is a tree lovers paradise, even in winter.

 

From the balconies of the visitors center at the top of Mount San Jacinto you could see the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas fault below.

I recommend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park to anyone who loves nature.