Mt. San Jacinto

Author

Brian Skalsky

Start/Finish points

Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to get up to the trailhead area of the San Jacinto Wilderness. The area where the tram drops you off has a restaurant, restrooms and a nice little gift shop. The trailhead to the top of Mt. San Jacinto starts at the place where the tram lets you off. There is an area to get your wilderness permit which is required to do the hike.

Nearest Towns

Route

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you from the Valley Station located at 2,643 ft. and drops you off at the mountain station which is located at 8,516 ft. The mountain station has a snack shop and restrooms as well as eating options, but this is the last bit of civilization before entering the wilderness. Note that there are periodic maintenance closures of the Aerial Tramway during the month of August, so call 1-760-325-1391 to find their schedule in August. There is no cost for parking or for a wilderness permit, those costs are all rolled into the amount charged for your tram ride.

The hike to the top of Mt. San Jacinto is 11 miles roundtrip with about 2,300 ft. of elevation gain. The trail is well traveled and there are several options to get to the summit. A map is available for sale of the Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness State park and it is that you purchase one. The temperature on the mountain is much cooler than it is in the Palm Springs area.

If you don’t have time to hike the peak, there are two smaller nature trails located by the mountain station. Maps for these trails are provided free of charge with your ticket to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Contact

Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness Park

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=636

Equipment

Permit required

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