Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Rotating aerial tramway in Palm Springs, California.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a cable car in Chino Canyon in Palm Springs, California, that takes visitors from the desert floor to an elevation of 8516 feet (2596 meters). The ride passes over a steep granite wall and ends at a mountain station from which hiking paths branch into Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Francis Crocker proposed the tramway in 1935, but construction did not begin until 1961 and took two years. Helicopters placed four of the five towers on the rock faces because the terrain was too steep.
Riders travel from desert floor to alpine zone and experience a shift from cactus to pine forest in just minutes. Hikers at the top often encounter mule deer and can find snow in winter while temperatures below reach over 100 degrees.
The valley station sits at the end of Tramway Road, with ample parking for visitors. Once at the top, bring warm clothing because the temperature is often 15 to 20 degrees cooler than in the valley.
The cabins rotate twice completely around their axis during the ride, so all passengers can enjoy the view of the canyon and the mountain ranges. Some visitors only notice upon exiting that the floor has turned.
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