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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 2 of 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by steve on 5/3/2009 ditto meg. Hiked yesterday 5/2/09. 1st time up. Trails were covered with snow. No Crampons / ice axe. Somehow found our way to the summit after 5 1/2 hours of guess work. Very windy and cold on the peak. Coming down was another story, but made it in about 3 1/2 hours. Will do this hike again, but after much of the snow is gone.
Reviewed by Meg on 5/2/2009 Did this hike on 4-28-09. Snow and ice on 80% of trail still. Didn't bring crampons or ice axe, but somehow managed to make it alive. Though I would highly recommend taking at least crampons if you want to enjoy yourself. Had the trail completely to ourselves. Make sure you bring map and compass because there are footprints you can follow if you don't know the trail but they thin out quite a bit past the campsite 2 miles in. 
Reviewed by manolo lucido on 12/11/2008 I did this hike 12-9-08 and it was cold that day. Weather was awesome and was about at 30 degrees with a wind speed of 30mph. Wear something warm, like tights. Layer yourself. With me, a wind blocker gloves, a summit jacket, baklava, definitely bring your crampons. I do have mine that day and I had fun, poles, headlamp and don't forget your camera. In a few days ahead it will be a wild weather. Check the weather news I believe the snow level will be at about below 5000ft. I will be back that day...... 
Reviewed by ehc on 12/9/2008 My boyfriend and I did this hike 12/8/08. It was absolutely spectacular. We weren't as prepared as we could have been. Lots of snow and very slick ice. Crampons recommended, however we made it up and back in 5 hours with hiking shoes. Weather called for high of 47 degrees with 22mph winds...however don't let this fool you...it was VERY cold!!! I recommend hat, gloves, and long underwear for sure. Hike was challenging and am looking forward to going when the weather is a bit friendlier. Would have liked to hang around the summit some more.
Reviewed by Watup Docweiler on 12/5/2008 How are the snow conditions near the summit? crampons needed in Dec yet? Please post. Thanks.
Reviewed by EagleScoutIvan on 10/27/2008 I did this Hike and Recommend it!! The views are awesome no matter which route you take. For you extremists out there, if you want a challenge do the 20 miler in one day. I took the 20 miler hike about four years ago in one day when I was in the Boy Scouts!! We went with about 15 other people. We started at Humber Park at the trail head of Devils Side Trail (coming from the 74 Fwy Idyl), hit saddle Junction up the Pacific Crest Trail up toward Wellmans Divide to the Peak. Coming back down we took the long way around to Hidden Divide, Willow Creek Crossing and back to Saddle Junction and Devils Slide Trail to the car. Going up was not that difficult, but those switchbacks coming down made you put ice on your feet and legs the next day. Do it
Reviewed by RTW on 9/2/2008 I hiked this one on Labor Day (9/1/08). It took us about 4 hours to summit and about 2 hours to get back to the tram. There is still water flowing from the spring at Round Valley, but make sure you bring a pump filter, pills or boil before drinking. The switch backs going back up to the tram at the end of the journey make sure you feel the burn the next day! You also get really weird looks from all the tourists at the tram who did NOT spend their day hiking to the 2nd highest peak in So Cal as you hobble back to the tram.
Reviewed by DavidR on 8/17/2008 Hiked it on a Monday last week. Wonderful. The tram ride alone is practically worth the trip out from LA. Go on a weekday if you can because from what I've read the weekends are loaded. We made the summit in about 2 1/2 easy hours from mountain station. We were joined after a few minutes by three older hikers we'd passed and we all enjoyed the top together. Amazing views, lovely woods. The walk back does indeed seem long but the overall trip is one of the nicest in SoCal, and definitely the one with the best 360 views. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||