Joshua Tree Section of Joshua Tree National Park

On the third day of our "Hiking the High Desert" program, we returned for an all-day visit to Joshua Tree National Park. Despite its name, the Park has two major areas: one with both Joshua trees and rocks; the other with mainly rocks and cacti, called "Wonderland of Rocks". We first explored the area with Joshua trees, in which the foreground/background juxtaposition of trees and rocks made for great dynamic landscapes.

At The Top of the Aerial Tramway

Having reached the upper platform of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, at an altitude of about 8000 feet, our group hiked through the snow to sample various views of the desert below. (The temperature was about 42 deg F at 2 PM, 30–40 degrees colder than the valley floor.)  Since the trampled snow was rather slippery and the high altitude made me short of breath, I returned to the upper terminus of the tram after the first lookout. The scenery was definitely worth the effort.

Joshua Tree National Park is about 40 miles to the northeast.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

We finished our second day of the program by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up San Jacinto Peak, hiking through the snow near the top, and riding back down again.

From Wikipedia: "The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. It was opened in September 1963 as a way of getting from the floor of the Coachella Valley to near the top of San Jacinto Peak and was constructed in rugged Chino Canyon." Elevation gain is about 3000 feet, from 5000 to 8000 feet, and it takes about 10 minutes. There are two cars, one going up and one down (pulling the other up).

The first three photos are of the car approaching the lower loading platform. (The second makes it seem further away, because I framed the photo to show San Jacinto Peak in the background.)

Photo taken on the way back down, showing the rugged terrain of the mountain.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons (6)

Finally, back up to the parking lot, along a different scenic, rocky path.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons (5)

Back down into a different part of the fan palm grove.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons (4)

More cacti and scenic views, including one back down into several fan palm groves.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons (3)

More scenic views of the canyon sides and distant vistas.