Mount San Jacinto State Park

via Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Directions: 1 Tramway Road, Palm Springs, 92262. Phone: (760) 325-1391. www.pstramway.com From Interstate 10, exit Date Palm Drive and proceed south. Take the first right on Vista Chino Road and continue west for 5.2 miles. Turn right (north) on Palm Canyon Drive, go 1 mile, and turn left on Tramway Road. Proceed 3 miles to the parking area. There is a fee to ride the tram.

About the Site: The Mount San Jacinto State Park was dedicated in 1937, and encompasses nearly 14,000 acres, including 10,000 acres of wilderness. The park contains one of southern California’s highest peaks, Mount San Jacinto (elev. 10,834 feet). There are over 60 miles of hiking trails to choose from, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. During the summer, the Park is a cool retreat from the desert heat. In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are often the only ways to get around.

Habitats: Coniferous forest predominates, but other biotic communities are also represented: chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland, pine-oak woodland, riparian (Long Valley and Round Valley).

Birds and Other Wildlife: Signature Species: Band-tailed Pigeon, White-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin’s Finch, Western Gray Squirrel, Mule Deer. Summer: Red-breasted Sapsucker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Western Bluebird, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee. Rarities: Mountain Quail, Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Rufous Hummingbird, Townsend’s Solitaire, Hermit Warbler, Red Crossbill, Mountain Lion, Gray Fox, Ringtail. Except for Sagebrush Lizard, reptiles are scarce at this elevation.

Best Times to Visit: May-October for birds, butterflies, and wildflowers

Additional Notes: Overnight wilderness camping is available in designated areas - advance reservations required. Day-use hiking permits may be obtained free of charge at the Ranger Station at the top of the tram. Developed campgrounds and Park Headquarters are located in the town of Idyllwild along Hwy 243. Phone (951) 659-2607. www.sanjac.statepark.org