Another one of the places that we had wanted to visit on our last trip to Redlands was Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California.

Ground level entrance to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California

Looking at a small part of the San Jacinto Mountains as we go up to the summit in the tramcar.

While we were in that part of southern California the first time, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was closed due to Covid-19. By the end of February, when we were there, the vaccination process was well underway. The Tramway was open with restrictions for the health and safety of all. We were happy to follow the guidelines to be able to take in the magnificent ride and views from Mount San Jacinto State Park at an elevation of over 8400 feet.

Spectacular view as we climb up San Jacinto Mountain in our tramcar.

Incredible vistas from our tramcar on the way up to the summit.

As we climbed Mount San Jacinto, with my cousins Gail and Frank, the valley below us seemed to grow small and smaller. I am terrified of heights so I had to keep reminding myself to breathe as we rose higher and higher to the summit. I thought about just closing my eyes, but then I would have missed experiencing the breathtaking scenery along the way. When we exited the tramcar I breathed a big sigh of relief.

The mountains look like the rocks were blasted with dynamite, but they were not!

The halfway station on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California

Now that I was no longer dangling in the air on the tramcar the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California, I could enjoy the truly spectacular vistas along with the wonders of nature. This part of Mount San Jacinto is known as Long Valley and is home to a variety of different conifers.

Conifers of Long Valley

An awesome view of the conifers growing on the mountain slopes.

Conifers are cone bearing trees that date back long before the age of dinosaurs. In this group of trees are pines, firs, redwoods and spruces.

Most conifers are evergreens that don’t shed their leaves in Autumn as deciduous trees do. They are also some of the largest, tallest and oldest of all living organisms. Redwoods can grow to heights of more than 300 feet. Giant Sequoias can have a diameter of 27 feet. And the Bristlecone pine can live to 4,600 years old!

Welcome to Mount San Jacinto!

In Long Valley there are four common conifers. Each of them has adapted to different microhabitats in the valley and increasing the biodiversity of this mountainous region.

Lots of conifers thriving at Long Valley, Elevation 8415 feet

This part of the San Jacinto Mountains was never logged because the terrain was so rugged. Because of that there are trees in Long Valley that are likely 250 years old or older.

Life on the edge

It looked like a winter wonderland at the summit.

The plants of Long Valley have adapted to the harsh conditions of the high elevation ecosystem. Only four conifer species and a limited number of other plants can thrive in this subalpine valley. They must endure extremes of weather from cold winter storms to hot summer sun and fall drought.

This dead tree looks like a prehistoric animal with hieroglyphics courtesy of bark beetles.

Another natural factor in the survival of trees in this region is the bark beetle. Bark beetles kill trees by boring holes through the bark. This damages the trees inner conductive vascular tissue. Like a straw, this tissue draws water and nutrients from the ground.

Patches of snow let us know that it’s still winter even in 70 degree weather!

If a tree is healthy and has access to plenty of water, it can effectively fight off bark beetles. An attacked tree will “pitchout” the beetles by expelling a glob of sap through the beetle-bored hole and will either smoother or force the culprit out.

A secluded picnic area in the mountains

But when these trees are stressed from lack of water or overcrowding, they’re not able to produce enough of that defensive sap. This makes them more vulnerable to bark beetle infestations and susceptible to other diseases and natural hazards.

Climate change

Boulders have tumbled to their resting place amid conifers and patches of snow.

Healthy forests, such as the one on Mount San Jacinto, are an extremely important natural resource providing critical habitat for plants and animals. Forests are also essential for good water and air quality.

Evidence of sledding in the snow at Mount San Jacinto

There is mounting scientific evidence that indicates that California’s climates changing. Weather and precipitation patterns are unstable. They’re becoming more extreme when compared to last century’s weather records. The most recent drought in California lasted nearly 5 years from 2012-2016. But then it was significantly offset by the record breaking winter storms of 2017.

If we were at the ocean I would call this drift wood. What is it called in the mountains?

Timber!!!

Although the forest in Long Valley has endured many episodes of dry conditions, the most recent drought hit hard. When we visited we noticed obvious signs of drought stress in this old-growth forest. Signs like browning foliage and so many downed trees really showed us that stress!

Plenty of snow still on the mountain.

Ecological communities may struggle or even collapse as species respond in different ways to the changing climate. As the spring wildflowers bloom earlier and earlier, vital relationships with pollinators may be disrupted if this trend continues. As mule deer struggle to find water and food resources to survive, so too will their predators like the mountain lion struggle to exist. Climate change creates a trickle down effect that can impact entire ecosystems.

An engineering marvel

Our tramcar awaits for our decent.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California is one of the most unique adventure attractions on Earth! This engineering marvel features the world’s largest rotating tramcars that carry you up and down Mount San Jacinto. The ten minute ride takes you up two and a half miles from Valley station (elev. 2,643 ft.) at the base to Mountain station (elev. 8,516 ft.) at the summit.

Crazy awesome view from the summit of Mount San Jacinto!

The Tramway operates on a counterweight system. At the Mountain Station we could see the Counterweight Pit. The 60.83 ton steel and concrete counterweight keeps constant tension on the haul rope. The haul rope is fastened to each car.

The motor at the Valley Station always pulls a car down, which, in turn, pulls the other car up. The up and down movement means a car is rolling over a tower.

The lighted control panel transmits radio signals to the control room in the valley station when a trip is initiated.

Sweet ending

After spending the better part of the afternoon exploring Mount San Jacinto the four of us headed back down the mountain in the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway California. But before we headed home we all decided that we desperately needed milkshakes from Great Shakes in Palm Springs.

Our very delicious ending to our day – milkshakes from Great Shakes in Palm Springs CA

And after some awesome retail therapy along the main drag we headed to our favorite spot for Great Shakes. Those thick, creamy, tasty and filling shakes were the perfect ending to a perfect day with family.