Road Trip Rip

Mount San Jacinto State Park - August, 2009

miles driven: ~300

photos taken: ~110

So we took a little drive to the desert and rode the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mt. San Jacinto. This is something I highly recommend if you're ever in the Palm Springs area. It takes you from the desert valley to a forested mountain area in just a few minutes. As you travel through the rocky canyon, just try not to think about how the tram towers are precariously perched on rocky outcroppings that seem like they could easily topple if the San Andreas Fault (just a few miles away) decides to wake up from its nap!

We hiked the 5.5-mile trail to the peak of San Jacinto (10,834 feet) and enjoyed the views. Well, the view of smoke, that is. The winds were bringing in quite a bit of smoke from the fires further up the coast.

Click a picture to see a larger view.