After nearly two and a half years, of the Australian Governments border closures, we were able to head to Los Angeles in the USA to see our daughter.
Having been to Palm Springs before, I was keen to again head up on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and visit the Mount San Jacinto State Park. Previously, I had been up on the Tramway at Christmas time and with the elevation gain, it was very cold. This time, in mid June, at the Tramway starting point, the temperature was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celcius. At the top, the temperature dropped to 66 degrees Fahrenheit or a very comfortable 19 degrees Celcius.
The Tramway takes about 11 minutes to make the trip up to an elevation of 8,516 feet or about 2,600 metres. After reaching the top, I made my way to the Ranger Station, where you have to register if you intend to hike.
After talking with a Ranger, I decided to do the Round Valley Loop, or RV Loop. This I was told was about a 4 miles or about 6.5kms hike. So off I started to follow the trail. The sky was perfect blue and weather great.
Starting off on the RV Loop
The track was good and with lovely weather and few people on the track a real pleasure to walk. Lots of trees seem to have fallen, which made the landscape quite dramatic.
I reached the turning point of the RV Trail, where I should have turned and headed back to the Ranger hut, but decided to head down the Willow Creek Trail which would also take me back to the Ranger Hut. The Ranger had told me that a large fire had gone through this area some while ago and you could clearly see the evidence.
However, after about an hour, the track disappeared and was covered with a very nasty brush which had spikes on it ripping my legs. I decided to turn back and after a little while, found the trail which I had come down. I retraced my steps for some while, but again ran into a dead end. The track had been the same one I had walked down on, but it appeared I had taken a wrong turn as again the track was covered. I decided to rest for a few minutes and thought I could hear voices. After about 5 minutes, I saw 5 ladies walking on a track about 30 metres below me. The only way for me to get down to where they were, was to bush bash through the bush. I guess I startled them as when I caught up with them, they could not understand where I had come from. I explained to them what I had done and they agreed with me that thet track needed some clearing.
After getting back to the RV Loop, I bade farwell to the ladies and headed back on the RV Loop which was well marked and pleasant. At I appraoched the Rangers Hut, I saw this sign, which was interesting.
I arrived back at the Rangers Hut and what was supposed to be a 6.5kms trail, had ended up for me a 12.5kms trail !!! I had had a great day though and would love to go back again and do some more trails in the State Wilderness. The Tramway alone is worth the trip and the views over Palm Springs are excellent.