A Sneak Peak At The Palm Springs Aerial Tram – Summer 2019
Palm Springs Areal Tram
Our morning started long before the sun was up. Having jet lag from just arriving in Los Angeles the day before from the midwest had us up around 4:00 am wondering what to do.
My daughter Jayne and I were on a trip to California for a summer adventure together. This was a nice treat to spend a full week with just one on one time.
This day we decided to head south to Joshua Tree National Park as the days highlight and decided on the way past that we couldn’t just drive by this potential side trip on this epic adventure.
When deciding to do this trip we made a mistake. If you plan to do this I would plan the whole day for this adventure. We did not have enough time to explore San Jacinto State Park at the top. You can easily spend four to eight hours exploring this beautiful place.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a popular tourist attraction located in Palm Springs, California. It is known for its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as its engineering marvels. Here is a brief history of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway:
The idea for the tramway was conceived in the 1930s by Francis F. Crocker, an electrical engineer who was fascinated by the rugged San Jacinto Mountains that overlook Palm Springs. Crocker believed that a tramway could be built to transport visitors to the top of the mountain, where they could enjoy the cooler temperatures and panoramic views.
Construction on the tramway began in 1960 and took almost three years to complete. The tramway was designed and built by Von Roll Tramways of Switzerland, which was known for its innovative cable car systems. The tramway features the world’s largest rotating tramcars, which rotate 360 degrees during the ascent and descent to provide passengers with panoramic views.
The tramway was opened to the public on September 14, 1963. It spans a distance of 2.5 miles (4 km) and climbs 5,873 feet (1,790 m) from the desert floor to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains. The tramway is powered by electricity, which is generated by a hydroelectric power plant at the top of the mountain.
Over the years, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has become a popular attraction for visitors to Palm Springs. It offers access to the San Jacinto Mountains, which are home to hiking trails, camping sites, and scenic overlooks. The tramway has also been featured in movies and television shows, including the 1981 movie “The Cannonball Run.”
In 2018, the tramway was closed for several months due to damage caused by a severe storm. The tramway underwent a major renovation, including the replacement of the cables and the upgrading of the electrical and mechanical systems. The tramway was reopened to the public in September 2018.
On The Way Up
At The Top - Mount San Jancito
