Last Monday evening, I capped a near-perfect April Fool’s Day by taking in the Palm Springs Tramway, one of my long-standing SoCal goals.  The tram goes up Chino Canyon, along the northern slope of Mt. San Jacinto.  It starts in the California portion of the Sonora Desert (also called Colorado Desert, as it extends from the Colorado River to the San Jacinto and San Gabriel Mountains.  The tram starts at Valley Station (El. 2643 ft.) and goes 3/4 of the way up Mt. San Jacinto, to Mountain Station (El. 8516 ft.).

It was suitably crowded on the way up, with all ages and variations levels of vertigo represented.  i am personally quite comfortable in all but the most open and unguarded high drop-off situations.  I found the tram very safe, to say the least.  The views, both in the tram car and from Mountain Station, were breathtaking.

Here are some views of Chino Canyon’s walls and floor.

We came to Tram Platform #2, spun a bit, and continued.  Bear in mind that the tram floor is rotating 360 degrees, as the car ascends and descends.

The views remained spectacular.

Once we got to Mountain Station, a ponderosa forest surrounded us.  This tree was just outside the cafe.

It is possible for a backpacker or speedy day hiker to do a six-mile round trip to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, so long as one starts early enough in the morning.

Views are also very clear, of the Coachella Valley floor-

-and of Mt. San Gorgonio, the highest peak in southern California.

The best views are to be had from Grubbs Viewpoint, when the wind is not too strong (as it unfortunately was when i was up there.)

Snow was still available for viewing, but not for throwing (Park regulations discourage snowball fights).

Back at Valley Station, Popp Park affords a few more chances to enjoy the features of Chino Canyon.

I ended this current California visit with a good night’s rest at Ruta Motel, in Indio.  The proprietor apologized for the lack of Internet, but given the 45 MPH gusts of wind, it was not surprising.  The variety of activities during the 3-day weekend, though, made this a very minor inconvenience.