Southern California - 2019 5 Mount San Jacinto (Palm Springs)

[Libby]

I’ve been an absolute failure with this trip report and nearly 2 years on I can’t find my trip notes. So … I’m going to continue with some photos and things I remember. Sorry the next entries will be very brief, but I hope you enjoy the photos.

Southern California - 2019 5 Mount San Jacinto

Breakfast at hotel and then a short drive to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. We had read that it is cooler at the top of the mountain so we took light flecces and made sure we had enclosed footwear.

We arrived early (a holiday habit we have wherever we are) and had just a short wait until our ride time. I do go in cable cars but am quite nervous so always ensure I’m facing up the mountain. The car had a rotating floor to enable everyone to have a good view! I wasn’t so keen on that.

Once at the top and on solid ground I was quite happy to look down into the desert below.

There was a café, shop and exhibitions at the top but I think they were having some refurbishment work at the time. It didn’t bother us though. We watched a short info film about the mountain and then decided to follow one of the shorter trails.

The weather was beautiful and we didn’t need the fleeces. As the climate is so much different to the base of the mountain the environment was so different with trees (including one thet smells of vanilla) and flowers and other wildlife. There were a few information signs and lots of viewpoints to stop at.
On the way down I made sure I was standing in the centre of the tram which had a static floor. (There were also a couple of seats for those who found standing difficult.)
We drove to a McDonalds for lunch (sometimes it’s the only thing that will do!) and then spent a couple of hours at the Palm Springs air museum. I love these museums that are staffed by volunteers and veterans as the have such a passion for their exhibits.

Then a quiet evening doing laundry before heading out for a quick trip to the mall and Olive Garden for tea.