San Jacinto Peak

We did it!  Yesterday, we conquered 10, 834 foot San Jacinto Peak.  The day began with an early two hour drive to Palm Springs.

So early, in fact, that we were the first ones to the tram parking lot.  The tram was not yet open for business.

To kill time, we drove through Palm Springs.  This has to be the world's largest Marilyn Monroe - no trick photography here!

Later, we returned to the tram parking lot, and were greeted by this big and colorful Granite Spiny Lizard on the steps.

Okay, I have to tell the truth.  We rode the tram from an elevation of 2,643 feet up to 8,516 feet.  This amazing tram is strung over just four towers.  Its two cars are the world's largest rotating tram cars and hold 80 people each.

It takes just 15 minutes for the car to ascend almost 6,000 feet up North America's sheerest mountain face.

From the top of the tram looking down over the Palm Springs region below.  Unfortunately, smog and dust interefered with the view, which can be over 100 miles on a good day.

Most tram riders just go to the gift shop and restaurant, but we were here on a mission of high altitude training.  We started our 12 mile hike that would gain 2,318 feet.  I had some issues with the abrupt altitude change, and suffered some from dizziness and sudden breathlessness.  There was definitely no time to acclimate to the altitude, which can make a big difference.

With all the granite and big pines, there is a definite similarity to The Sierra Nevadas.  This is a snow flower plant (very unusual - look it up on Wikipedia).

The meadows and bogs were pleasant surprises.

We stopped for some lunch along the way.

An old trunk, possibly battered by lightning, fire, or both.

A closer look at the tree's layers of decomposition.

The last stretch is a scramble to the top.

We weren't the only ones to make it to the top.

Mountain woman extraordinaire!

Mountain man needing extra air!

This is the very cool peak shelter built in 1933 by the CCC.  The stone is all dry laid.

Inside are bunks with sleeping bags (note teddy bear!), dry food, and first aid supplies. 

On the way down we paused by this large meadow to watch Violet-Green Swallows catching bugs, and a very hefty deer on the far side.

Does anyone know what these plants are?

At 6:30, we took the tram back down after downing a very expensive beer, apparently the result of no competition.

The tram ride gets all the passengers excited.  Everytime the car goes over a tower pulley, it dips and sways and everyone goes,"Ooooooh!!!"  It was great to find a new area with excellent backpacking and hiking potential that is not overrun by crowds.  We shall return!