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 Reporter |
Summary: This moderate all day outing is as good as it gets. The trip starts out by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway almost a mile straight up into the San Jacinto wilderness. The first 2 miles of trail traverses a lovely pine forest, passing through Round Valley. The trail then begins a 1 mile accent to Wellman Divide, a great spot for lunch with breathtaking views. At this point the trail heads north towards the peak. The forest is somewhat open with the ground covered in lush vegetation, and ever more stunning views of the desert below. Near the summit you will encounter a small stone cabin, and after a easy rock scramble up a 100 yards or so, you will be at the peak. John Muir considered the view from San Jacinto peak one of the most sublime on earth. It is a great hike! Trailhead: From Interstate 10, take the Palm Springs exit (hwy 111) and drive 9 miles to Tramway road. Turn right and follow the road 3.5 miles to its end at the Tramway parking lot. The tram takes you from palm springs to the 8500 foot level near Long Valley in a short, but spectacular 12 minute ride. The cost was about twenty bucks round trip. (Lat:33.81308 Lon:-116.63841) Trail Guides for San Jacinto Peak via Palm Springs Tram: 100 Great hikes in and near Palm Springs by Philip Ferranti (Westcliffe Publishers) San Bernardino Mountain Trails by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) California Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Ann Marie Brown (Foghorn Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: USFS (909) 659-2177 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 11 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by MY on 7/23/2010 What a beautiful hike!!! I got a light headache at about 9,700 ft. Popped an aspirin and I was fine by the time I reached the peak. Went last weekend and even though it was over 100 degrees F in Palm Springs, it was in the mid-70s up at the peak. I drink a lot of water on hikes and took 3.5 L of water with me. Didn't finish it, but it helped that I sipped water every 10-15 mins. 
Reviewed by BG on 7/16/2010 I'm a local resident and I've hiked to the peak 8 times so far. Very enjoyable hike. I've gone with co-workers, family and friends and they have all liked it. Just bring enough water (I usually bring about 8 or 9 16 oz. bottles) and a decent lunch. It's nothing too strenuous but it helps to be in shape. July and August are the best months to go since the snow is pretty much all melted. It's a great way to escape the summer heat and get a great workout at the same time!
Reviewed by RTW on 7/10/2010 I did this on 7/5. It was a nice day out. The tram was on normal week day schedule even though most of America had the day off for the Fourth of July which meant we got a late start (First tram at 10a). Trail is clear all the way up with only a few spots of snow left on some of the north facing passes. Water is flowing freely everywhere, just make sure you bring your pump.
Reviewed by SoCalAdv on 6/18/2010 Just called 951/659-2607 and spoke to a rep who said that aside of some off-trail snowy patches, the trail is good to go all the way to the peak, with significant melting having occurred the last two weeks. Taking a group of friends up there tomorrow, since it's my favorite way to kick off the summer hiking season! 
Reviewed by KW on 6/16/2010 I haven't actually done this hike, but just wanted to comment that the # listed in the hike description is incorrect. I tried calling for information and reached a man who is in no way affiliated with the USFS. Haha. I'm trying to find a real # because I would like to do the hike this weekend (6/18/10), but want to know if the snow is still bad.
Reviewed by Ann on 6/7/2010 My friends and I hiked San Jacinto peak on 6/6/10. This is my favorite hiking trail and I had done it 4 times in the past and never had any problems. I did not expect the amount of snow still covering the trail and was completely unprepared for it. Got lost several times, few scary moments, overall, recommend waiting until the snow is gone before attempting this hike. It's not worth getting injured or lost in the mountain.
Reviewed by DL on 5/24/2010 Did this hike on 5/22 and there was snow pretty much all the way to the top, although it's melting pretty quickly due to the 60 degree days. It's easy to lose track of the trail due to the snow so make sure you know where you're going.
Reviewed by A.D. on 5/17/2010 it was fun Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Riverside County Hiking, Riverside County Trails, Riverside County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||