Monday, June 28, 2010

That's My World Tuesday / Palm Springs Tram

Click on photos to enlarge!
We drove out to Palm Springs, California to take the tram to the top of Mt. San Jacinto.
It was 111 degrees on the desert floor and only 70 degrees on the top of the mountain.
That's a 41 degree drop in temperature.
You can see the green below.  
Snow melt from the top creates a beautiful stream that keeps everything green in that strip of desert.

This is the tram after it arrived at the top of Mt. San Jacinto.
The elevation is nearly 9,000 feet here.

We walked around the edge of Grubbs View, which offers a 360 degree view of the valley and wilderness.
There are 54 miles of back country hiking trails up here.
Some ride the tram with some serious backpacks for some serious back country hiking.
The desert was awesome...so colorful.
We were looking in the direction of Las Vegas, which is a good distance away.

This is our shadow on the rocks as we descended back to the Valley Station in Palm Springs.
It was after 5:00 p.m. and a perfect time for a bold shadow!

20 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, WOW! that looks fantastic! Terrific captures as always, Carolyn! And what fun! I did something like that in Austria some years ago and I'll never forget the view we had from the tram! Thanks for sharing the fun! Have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Tania said...

Wonderful Landscape and place. I like the picture with the tree in foreground very much.
Wish you a nice evening;-)

Tammie Lee said...

fun to see this post, it takes me back to my childhood and visiting. I remember going up the tram when there would be snow waiting for us. Fun.

My name is Riet said...

That looks wonderful. Great shots Carolyn. Beautiful mountains.

Cheryl Ann said...

Carolyn, can you believe we've lived here over 35 years and I've NEVER been on the tram? It is inexcusable!
I'll have to go one day this summer!

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

those are pretty spectacular views and tour, thanks for sharing these

Sara Chapman in Seattle, USA said...

I had no idea there was a tram out of Palm Springs. How neat! Great photos and informative, too. Wish my hubby was OK with heights!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

70 degrees, don't you think you could stay there the whole winter?

I am not brave and when I see the cable, my legs shake. I am watching on TV how American timber companies are transporting timber logs. Exactly the same as your cables.

Scott Law said...

Oh, that looks like a fun day and some fun pics to document it. Love the tram shadow.

Carver said...

That looks like a great place to explore. It is amazing the temperature differences that can occur between high and low elevations.

Shannon said...

I did something similar when I was in Reno.. very cool how the temp drops!

Shannon said...

p.s.
I have taken on a new adventure... go to my blog and read about it... it will also connect ya to a new blog... I'm SOOOOO excited about it!

Indrani said...

Beautiful scenic shots.
I love such rides. You have taken some wonderful shots.

SandyCarlson said...

Amazing places, these deserts. The range of temperatures and the life and light that you find there are astounding. Thanks for sharing.

Pat said...

Beautiful landscapes below you and off in the distance from the tram. I love aerial trams that go up mountains--such spectacular views! Great shots.

Unknown said...

that must be an exciting ride...with so much to see and experience. great shots.

Rick said...

Wow - great shots Carolyn. I especially liked the perspective on that first one - I almost fell off my chair due to vertigo! ;-)

Jenn said...

I've learned to enjoy tram rides because the views are always spectacular as is your captures. Especially love the tree.

Unknown said...

that tram ride must be a sweet experience for everybody.

byron said...

Your tram pic is great! Very mysterious....