The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, launched in September 1963, links the Coachella Valley floor to near San Jacinto Peak’s summit. It’s located in Palm Springs, California. Before its construction, access to the mountaintop required a lengthy hike from Idyllwild. Today, it’s a prominent attraction. The journey takes eight and a half minutes from the Valley Station at the base. It ends at the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet (2,600 m) above sea level. The tram climbs North America’s steepest mountain face, showcasing diverse life zones and significant geological transitions. At the Mountain Station, temperatures can be 40°F (25°C) cooler than in the desert. Visitors can explore trails, enjoy burro rides, or engage in winter snow activities.
The view at the top can stretch northward for more than 200 miles (300 km) on a clear day, all the way to Mount Charleston north of Las Vegas. Views to the east and west can stretch as far as 75 miles (120 km); the Salton Sea is plainly visible to the southeast.
Route
The twelve-and-a-half-minute ride begins at the Valley Station at 2,643 ft (806 m). It passes up North America’s sheerest mountain face through five life zones. This journey leads to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft (2,596 m) above mean sea level. Travelers start in the Sonoran Desert and arrive at an alpine forest. The floor of the 18 ft (5.5 m) diameter Aerial Tramway-cars rotates constantly. It makes two complete revolutions during the journey for passengers to see in all directions without moving. With a maximum capacity of 80 passengers, it is the largest of the three rotating aerial trams in the world. The other “Rotair” Aerial tramway is located in Cape Town, South Africa, and Titlis, Switzerland.
Passengers disembark at the Mountain Station in the alpine wilderness of Long Valley and Mount San Jacinto State Park, where temperatures can drop up to 40°F (22°C) compared to the desert below. Visitors enjoy nature trails, burro rides, and winter activities. Back-country hiking permits are available. The summit features two restaurants and gift shops. A video presentation on the attraction’s history plays at the Mountain Station. On clear days, views extend over 200 miles northward to Mount Charleston near Las Vegas. The aerial tram cars are the sole means of transporting supplies and water up the mountain, with staff loading supplies and pumping water before opening.
Animal park
Animal Behavior Laboratories of Los Angeles owned and operated the now-defunct Tramway Animal Park. They located it on 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land leased from the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority. A portion of the park included a fenced area where reindeer roamed during the holidays in the USA. In addition to reindeer, the park featured tame deer, cockatoos, two dolphins named Buttons and Beau, macaques, and various species of monkeys. The animals performed in regularly scheduled shows.
Additional Information
Temperatures at the Mountain Station are generally 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor. It is a good idea to bring along a sweater in the summer and a jacket in the winter.