5 min
Overview
A moderately easy high-altitude trek to one of Southern California’s “three saints” – the three tallest peaks of their respective ranges. This trail is probably the easiest way to summit, featuring an aerial tram that takes you from the sweltering heat of Palm Springs at 2643 feet to the cooler alpine climes at 8516 feet. This is an excellent way to get some high-altitude experience under your belt, and the trail itself has a pretty amazing view to effort ratio, too. As a way to get a little more high altitude time in before our trip to Mount Whitney, some hiking buddies and I did this trail the weekend before heading up to Lone Pine. We were more interested in just being above 8000 feet than we were with busting our legs up, and this trail definitely did the trick. When you arrive at the parking lot of Valley Station, you’ll have to buy a ticket for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world (don’t forget to get your AAA discount!). The narrated tram ride will take you up almost 6000 feet in about 8 and a half minutes and is quite an experience in and of itself. You’ll have full 360-degree views of narrow Chico Canyon and the desert floor while you’re ascending, and when the tram passes one of the few towers along the way you’ll even get a split second of weightlessness – which can make for a noisy but fun ride. When you arrive at Mountain Station, you’ll probably feel more like you’re in a tourist trap than a backcountry destination. There are several gift shops and restaurants in the station, but if you want to get hiking just head out the back door ASAP. The area closest to Mountain Station is heavily developed (as far as an outdoorsy destination can be), and you may feel a bit out of place among the day tourists from the desert floor. The “trail” starts out on a paved sidewalk with handrails and makes a fairly steep descent from Mountain Station. This area features some picnic areas and short nature walks, but you’ll quickly leave the paved path and find your way to
Trail Stats
16.5 km
667 m
3266 m
2566 m
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