Mt. San Jacinto Hike: Round Valley Loop

Let’s go hike at Mt. San Jacinto State Park! We’ll take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the Mountain Station and explore a pristine wilderness where Jeffrey Pines smell like butterscotch. We’ll take the Round Valley Trail out and return via High Trail & Willow Creek Trail. It’ll be an adventure!

We’ll stop for snacks when we feel like it. The trail I picked out is about 5 or 6 miles long with 954 feet of elevation gain. I expect we will want to take 4 hours for the whole hike. Regrettably, dogs are not allowed in Mt. San Jacinto State Park or on the tram.

After the hike, we’ll have lunch at one of the cafés. I recommend that we eat at the famous Peaks Restaurant.

No reservations are necessary. You can buy your tram ticket ($34.95 adults, $31.95 seniors) online at pstramway.com/tickets. If the tram is sold out online, just show up! If online tickets are sold-out for any day, tickets are still available, but can only be purchased on the day of your visit at the Tram’s Valley Station. But show up early, just in case of trouble. And now there is a $15 parking fee, so maybe carpool with your friends.