Trip ideas while visiting Palm Springs in California
San Jacinto Peak is a prominent mountain in the San Jacinto Mountains and ranks as the second-tallest peak in Southern California. It adds to the scenic beauty of the Coachella Valley. What makes this summit particularly special is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This tramway offers a convenient mode of transportation for hikers, taking them up approximately 6,000 feet towards the summit, which stands at an impressive height of 10,834 feet. When climbers disembark at the mountain station located at 8,516 feet, they only need to ascend about 2,300 feet to reach the peak.
Hikers begin their journey to San Jacinto Peak after leaving the mountain station of the tramway. The hike spans 5.5 miles in one direction and starts in Long Valley. As hikers continue through Long Valley, they eventually reach Round Valley, which offers a more expansive and open trail section. Wellman’s Divide is where the trail becomes steeper, with a 600-foot increase in elevation over a mile. Previous visitors have noted that the trail leading to the summit of San Jacinto Peak is clearly marked.