May 07, 2015 — This trail is only difficult because of the massive amount of vertical elevation gain. There are no scrambling obstacles, route-finding, or other difficulties. It's just a brutal leg pump on a well-maintained trail. The hike starts from the Palm Springs Art Museum and leads up from desert to forest. It's an incredibly cool route due to how many different ecosystems you pass through on the way to the summit of Mount San Jacinto. Along the way, you can stop at the Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway cafe for a break before doing the final push to the summit. You'll need to return back to the tramway to get down, otherwise expect to add an additional 9+ miles from the tramway back down to the desert. You will need to pay for a taxi or set up a shuttle if you take the tram. Also make sure you have money for the Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway down, and check for the closing time of the tram so you're not stranded on the mountain.
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