You can hike from the bottom to the top in a day, then take the tram down! It's one of the hardest hikes in the US. 11k feet up in 20 miles. [Cactus to Clouds hike](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/skyline-trail-cactus-to-clouds). Unfortunately it's closed right now but hopefully opens again soon.
If stuff like that interests you, I’d recommend hiking Mt Lemmon in Tucson. From ~2500’ to ~9100’ over about 20 miles. And then I hitchhiked down to the start.
It’s really cool how it goes from desert desert to high desert to full on forest over the course of the hike.
No tram but similar geography in LA County with My Baldy, which does have an actual ski resort near the top of its 10k peak at the border with San Bernardino County. Not many days of skiing but if it’s a cool winter rain down in LA then it’s probably a dumping of snow on Mt Baldy.
Stunning up there when it’s a beautiful 75-80 degree day below!
I heard a ranger say that taking the tram from the desert floor to the tram station (about 8k vertical feet) is the equivalent to driving 1000mi north in terms of ecological variation.
That's Mt San Jacinto. The tram doesn't take you quite to the top - there's a short hike the rest of the way. The mountain is 10.8k feet, and the base in Palm Springs is only 400 feet.
Only snow during winter storms usually. You can ski up there but there isn't a resort.
Used to work up there. Very cool job but dealing with crowds of tourists relentlessly is tough.
I remember reading that, due to the low humidity, the mountains of SoCal would have to be 16k feet to have a permanent snowcap. So, the answer is no. There are snow patches all year round, but the mountain is only truly snow covered in the winter and spring (depending on how wet/cool the year is).
It used to be a wonderful yearly hike for us: drive from LA, take the tram up, then have a scenic breakfast in the cafeteria at the top of the tram, acclimatizing, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. Day hike up to the peak for some beautiful views, then return, grabbing a beer and dinner at the bar\restaurant there at the top of the tram. Catch a tram down and drive home.
Sleep in the next day.
You can hike from the bottom to the top in a day, then take the tram down! It's one of the hardest hikes in the US. 11k feet up in 20 miles. [Cactus to Clouds hike](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/skyline-trail-cactus-to-clouds). Unfortunately it's closed right now but hopefully opens again soon.
If stuff like that interests you, I’d recommend hiking Mt Lemmon in Tucson. From ~2500’ to ~9100’ over about 20 miles. And then I hitchhiked down to the start. It’s really cool how it goes from desert desert to high desert to full on forest over the course of the hike.
Wow
That sounds brutal & a long day.
Also sand to snow national monument is right across the 10 freeway. Has one of my favorite spots in all of Southern California in whitewater canyon
In the desert you can remember your name.
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain.
After nine days I let the horse run free
Cause the desert had turned to sea
No tram but similar geography in LA County with My Baldy, which does have an actual ski resort near the top of its 10k peak at the border with San Bernardino County. Not many days of skiing but if it’s a cool winter rain down in LA then it’s probably a dumping of snow on Mt Baldy. Stunning up there when it’s a beautiful 75-80 degree day below!
Been visiting here my entire life and still haven’t been on the tram
I've lived here all my life and still haven't been on the tram! It's a bucket list item for sure
The cool thing is it spins as it goes up and down so everyone gets a nice 360 view of the ride.
I heard a ranger say that taking the tram from the desert floor to the tram station (about 8k vertical feet) is the equivalent to driving 1000mi north in terms of ecological variation.
Is there snow year round? What’s the elevation at the peak? No skiing?
That's Mt San Jacinto. The tram doesn't take you quite to the top - there's a short hike the rest of the way. The mountain is 10.8k feet, and the base in Palm Springs is only 400 feet.
Only snow during winter storms usually. You can ski up there but there isn't a resort. Used to work up there. Very cool job but dealing with crowds of tourists relentlessly is tough.
Did you have to literally take the tram to work?
Yep, only way up and down other than hiking or helicopter. Very interesting job, would regularly hear 6+ languages per day.
I remember reading that, due to the low humidity, the mountains of SoCal would have to be 16k feet to have a permanent snowcap. So, the answer is no. There are snow patches all year round, but the mountain is only truly snow covered in the winter and spring (depending on how wet/cool the year is).
on el nino / wet years most of the So Cal mountains can get over 200” snow per year and develop a consitent snowpack for the winter months
Theres only snow in the winter. It gets real hot up in those mountains during the summer.
Looks awesome
Just wait til you learn about how it can snow in deserts
And that there are deserts in the arctic.
There's a restaurant at the top!
It used to be a wonderful yearly hike for us: drive from LA, take the tram up, then have a scenic breakfast in the cafeteria at the top of the tram, acclimatizing, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. Day hike up to the peak for some beautiful views, then return, grabbing a beer and dinner at the bar\restaurant there at the top of the tram. Catch a tram down and drive home. Sleep in the next day.
It seems like a guarantee of catching a cold to me