Palm Springs Tram Into the Mountains

It doesn’t look like we’re in Palm Springs here, does it?

This year, for Mother’s Day, Pedro and I were in Palm Springs. For those who know what to expect: don’t worry! My annual Mother’s Day camping trip with Kellen still happened, the following weekend. And I’ll show you pics soon.

Last summer, my Uncle Jim and his then-boyfriend (now husband) Tom stopped by our house for a visit. They have been living in Palm Springs for some time and have extended an invitation before, but while they were here I got to meet Tom for the first time and enjoyed his company as much as Uncle Jim’s. They insisted we would be welcome at their home in Rancho Mirage, so Pedro and I made plans for May, when they said it would not be too hot yet.

We showed up during an unseasonal heat wave. The center image of 83 degrees is at 7:30 am.

Our first day we headed up into the mountains where they insisted it would be cool. They were right! Not only cool, but forested mountains that were a world away from what life is like in the valley. If I lived around here, I would spend as much time as possible in these mountains.

A view up to the peaks from the tram station.

The tram just leaving the station and beginning its journey up into the mountains.

Jim told us that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the most popular tourist destination here. I had never heard of it. People drive up to the parking lot, then enter the station and purchase passes for a particular time. We arrived just after a large group of teenagers all dressed for prom, so we had to wait for our ride. It was fun (as it always is) to see the young people in suits and satin and hats and gloves. What a super great idea for prom night.

Pedro watches the tram rise into the mountains.

While Pedro looked up, I looked down, at these cute little desert squirrels playing around.

Behind the station is this pretty area to relax beside a waterfall.

Then it was time for us to get in line and get on board. The capacity is rather large and we rode up with lots of other people. As we stepped on, the conductor explained that the car ROTATES as we rise. How cool is that?

You have to be careful not to hold too tight, because the car rotates, so the handles will pull themselves from your grip.

Looking ahead, at the station we approached.

Looking behind, at the station we left. You can barely see the parking lot and the cars down there.

We lifted rapidly, and passed five towers, I believe. After each tower, the tram swung, and everyone said, “Whoah!” in unison. The conductor kept party music playing, and all had a good time.

At the halfway point, we passed the other tram, on its way down.

Spectacular view of Palm Springs. It’s over 100 degrees (38 C) down there!

The views along the way were remarkable: of the valley, but also of the fascinating rocks around us.

The trip is surprisingly long and enjoyable. We climbed for ten minutes, across 2.5 miles, and arrived at the upper station which is 8,516 feet (2595 m) in elevation. The stations at the top and bottom are both clean and welcoming and beautiful. Both include places for history and mechanical buffs to learn about the construction and the vision here, and windows into the infrastructure, to see how it works.

The view directly out the back of the top station. There are picnic tables and trails into the Mt. San Jacinto State Park up here.

The patio in front of the restaurants, where you can stand and look into the valley.

We spotted their house. If you look carefully, you can see I circled it in green, left middle of photo.

We climbed all over the top of the ridge, looking in every direction.

Pedro spotted this guy for me to photograph

The Uncles had made reservations for us, so then we made our way to the second, and more fine dining, restaurant at the top and had an excellent meal. Not wanting to take home leftovers or waste the amazing mushroom ravioli and chicken, I ate every bite and then was uncomfortably stuffed until about noon the next day! ha ha.

Then we savored glasses of wine until the sun went down, and went back out to the observation platforms.

We watched the lights of the valley begin to glow.

On the way back down, the lights positively sparkled down there.

Before we went home and to bed, they gave us a quick tour of downtown Palm Springs, which neither Pedro or I had ever seen. It’s a pretty place and seems to have a robust night life, and so much wonderful art. We walked through the warm night, seeing the shops and museums and parks.

We spotted this adorable scene in one of the parks.

She was properly dressed, but the wind caught her by surprise.

After that we finally went home. It was a long day, beginning with 48 degrees and rain at home in the morning, to 100 degrees in Southern California that afternoon, to climbing into the mountains over 8,500 feet, then returning to the valley at 479 feet (146 m). But the company was outstanding and Pedro and I had a marvelous time.