The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the Coachella Valley’s most popular tourist attraction and, well, just a pretty amazing place. I mean, in 10 minutes time you get lifted from the desert floor to more than 8,500 feet, well into the mountains, and, most importantly, to a place that is 20 – 40 degrees cooler than where you just left. And while the Mountain Station of the tram has a couple of spots to grab a bite (or eat your own grub), a bar to enjoy a drink, and a couple of viewing areas with a pretty sick view of the Coachella Valley, the real action is down a terrible, steep ramp that leads to the forest and some great hiking trails – which is why you should just go ahead and leave the heels, flip flops, and terrible footwear at home.
Now, you would think this goes without saying, but, as a season pass holder to the Palm Springs Tram, I see people all the time totally ill-prepared in the shoe department to venture out to check out Long Valley, the Desert View Trail (a nice 1.5 mile loop with five spots to take in some great views that way too many visitors miss out on), and, if you’re really feeling it, the 11-mile roundtrip hike to the San Jacinto Peak.
Note: The San Jacinto Peak hike is tough, awesome and life changing. Do it at least once. Just be sure to prepare first.
Getting to any of the hikes or to see what it’s like outside of the Mountain Station requires a walk up and down a steep af concrete ramp that is absolutely not made for heels, wedges or flip flops – and neither is the wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto Park, so leave them at home and wear hiking boots or hiking shoes or, at the very least, a good pair of tennis shoes.
Not only will good footwear give you a chance to actually walk around, it can get cold in the mountains – much colder than it is in Palm Springs – so don’t get stuck freezing at 8,500 feet because you’re wearing sandals.
Basically, a visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway can be a really great experience, just don’t screw it up by showing up with the wrong shoes.
You can check out some other tips when visiting the Palm Springs tram here. Have fun!!
