Photos of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Upper Station
About Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Upper Station
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway carries you from the desert floor up to Mountain Station at 2,596 metres, above Palm Springs. Up there you are in pine forest at the edge of Mount San Jacinto State Park, with the Coachella Valley spread out below to the east. A short walk down from the station puts you on on of the park's scenic dirt trail surrounded by Jeffrey pines. The Desert View Trail loops for about 2.5 km past five open viewpoints. Each one gives a clear line out over the valley. Haze builds over the desert through the day which can add layering to your compositions. Clear winter mornings hold the most detail and are also when the trails up here are the quietest. Late afternoon is another great time to head up here. The valley falls into shadow while the San Bernardino Mountains across the pass still hold sun. Plan to stay after dark to experiment with capturing the city lights from the observation decks. You will need a tram ticket to access this section of the park. No permit is needed on the Long Valley trails. Snow sits up here from November into April so be prepared for all kinds of weather. Ideally try to head up late in the day and ride down in the dark. (Palm Springs, California, USA)
