Spectacular views on the Tramway to San Jacinto Peak hike

The second-highest peak in Southern California and the sixth most prominent peak in the 48 contiguous states, San Jacinto Peak is most commonly reached by a relatively easy hike from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. There are several other route to summit, including one via the Deer Springs Trail which is 17 miles (27.5km) return with 5,275 feet (1608m) elevation gain. Or the most hardcore option, which ascends from the desert floor via the Skyline Trail, also known as Cactus to Clouds – a gruelling 15mile (24km) one-way hike with an insane 10,715 feet (3,266m) elevation gain. It’s the greatest elevation gain of any trail in the United States, and tougher than the Mount Whitney hike.

As much as I love a challenge, I’m taking the easiest route to the San Jacinto Peak summit, which starts with a ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Arriving just after the tramway opens at 10am (it opens earlier on weekends), I stock up on water and a few basic supplies before booking my ticket.

Opened in September 1963, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway travels 2.5 miles (3.5km) over the jagged cliffs off Chino Canyon, taking you from 2,643 feet (806m) at the base station to 8,516 feet (2,596m) at the top station. It’s the largest of four rotating aerial trams in the world, with the floor of the car making two full rotations during the twelve-and-a-half minute ride, so you get views in all directions.

From the top station, a concrete path heads down into a small valley, which is part of the short Desert View Trail. It’s an easy 0.3 miles (0.5km) walk down to one of two Park Ranger Stations, where both day-hikers and campers need to complete a short form to obtain a permit.

From the ranger station the Round Valley Trail starts to very gently ascend, as it follows the Long Valley Creek uphill. Although very tramway car going up was pretty full, beyond the ranger station there are only a handful of hikers on the trail.

It’s pleasant walking with lots of shade, and a fairly steady and gentle climb on the well-made trail.

After 1.8 miles (2.9km) is the junction with the High Trail, which provides an alternate route – or a shorter loop walk – back to the tramway station.

Soon after the junction is the Round Valley campground, which doesn’t seem very busy – but it’s spread out over a large area and offers a choice of camping spots. There’s water available here, which needs treatment.

The trail continues to ascend, not a bit more steeply, through the tall forest.

At the 3.1 mile (5km) mark the Wellman Divide is reached, at an elevation of 9,700 feet (2,960m). There are some spectacular views to the south from here, over towards Toro Peak and Palomar Mountain (a mountain ridge in the Peninsular Ranges). If you haven’t got the time or energy to reach the top of San Jacinto Peak, this provides a vista that is almost as good.

This is a good spot for a break, with lots of shaded spots from which to admire the views.

The Wellman Divide is also where the Round Valley Trail meets the Wellman Cienega Trail, which connects with the Pacific Crest Trail (Cienega is a Spanish word for spring, and Wellman Cienega is a perpetual spring about 0.6 miles below Wellman Divide). From here the Peak Trail is initially fairly flat as it follows a contour along the side of Jean Peak, through low scrub. To the east are unimpeded views back towards the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway top station and across northern Palm Springs to the Joshua Tree Wilderness.

There are great views along the entire section of Peak Trail – it’s the most photogenic section of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to San Jacinto Peak hike.

The trail eventually starts ascending again after a mile, initially bearing north before swinging back almost 180 degrees as it heads south up the lower flank of San Jacinto Peak.

Soon Newton Drury Peak comes into view – the slope of the dome-shaped peak is covered with granite boulders, which look like patches of snow.

Just below the top of San Jacinto Peak, the Peak Trail meets the Deer Springs Trail, near an Emergency shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The trail gradually vanishes, leaving an easy boulder-scramble up to the 10,834 foot (3,302m) summit.

Naturalist John Muir stated: “The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth! To the west is Saddleback Mountain in Orange County, a landmark formed by the two highest peaks of the Santa Ana Mountains – Santiago Peak at 5,689 feet (1,734m) and Modjeska Peak at 5,496 feet (1,675 m) – with the gap between them resembling a saddle. To the north-west is Mount San Antonio.

To the north across the San Gorgonio Pass you see San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest peak in Southern California at 11,503 feet (3,506m).

To the south-east is Santa Rosa Peak, the highpoint of the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness.

It’s a much quicker walk back from San Jacinto Peak to the Tramway, being all on a fairly gently downhill gradient, and I’m back at the top (mountain) station around 4:45pm.

It’s taken me about 5:30min, at a slightly slower-than-usual pace.

 0.0mi /  0.0km  Palm Springs Aerial Tramway top station
 1.8mi /  2.8km  Junction with High Trail (Round Valley Loop)
 2.2mi /  3.5km  Round Valley Campground
 2.9mi /  4.7km  Wellman Divide / start of Peak Trail. Spectacular views.
 5.5mi /  8.9km  Junction with Deer Springs Trail / Emergency Hut
 5.7mi /  9.2km  San Jacinto Peak (summit)
11.3mi / 18.2km  Back to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway top station

Rather than heading straight back down, I hang around the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway viewing deck to get a few more photos as the sun sets.

Getting to San Jacinto Peak (via Tramway)

While there are a number of routes that start from vehicle-accessible trailheads at lower elevations, this route starts from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station. The bottom station is reach by car via the steep Tramway Road. It’s a 6 mile / 9.5km (12min) drive from the city of Palm Springs. There is a parking fee (per vehicle) and you need to puchase a tramway ticket (per person). The tramway runs from 8am on weekends and 10am during the week to 9:30pm – it’s best to arrive early or pre-book tickets.

More information

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – Hours of Operation / Buy Tickets
• Forest Service – San Jacinto Wilderness