Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

[+ Avalon]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Aerial_Tramway

 

Imo this is a must see for anyone visiting Palm Springs. There is a big change in temp between the bottom and the top. Colder.

 

I remember seeing a porn video years ago - I forget the name or the models - where a scene was filmed in one of the tram cars; they were making out.

[+ Robster]

We went on it several years ago; the ride is fun, and the view once you get to the top is spectacular.

 

And yeah, definite temperature change. We went up there in T-shirts and shorts... in January.

 

I'm curious to know which porn video that was! I'd love to see it.

 

Rob

[Drained Empty]

I've ridden it a couple times but my experience was the reverse. Sunny and warm at the base but beautiful crisp clean air and snow at the summit. Well worth the trip!

[+ Avalon]

We went on it several years ago; the ride is fun, and the view once you get to the top is spectacular.

 

And yeah, definite temperature change. We went up there in T-shirts and shorts... in January.

 

I'm curious to know which porn video that was! I'd love to see it.

 

Rob

 

I'm sorry I just can't remember, it was last century. I remember one of the models had the same name I think of a Hollywood director or producer. When I would hear that name I'd think of the porn model. I can't remember the porn director / producer but he made some movie with "American" in the title. And one video took place in the country and had a horse doing the narrative.

[maninsoma]

I've been on the tram a couple of times. I have a mild fear of heights and found I couldn't really enjoy the view as the tram ascended the mountain. Looking directly out was fine but looking down made me feel like I was going to hurl. I like the view from the top, though, and if I lived in the area I think I'd buy the yearly pass simply to escape the desert floor heat on occasion.

[+ sync]

Pass!

[Epigonos]

No thank you!!!!! I am absolutely terrified of heights. Just viewing the photo puts me into a cold sweat.

[bigvalboy]

Pass!

 

LMAO....yeah, I'm not seeing the attraction.

[mike carey]

No thank you!!!!! I am absolutely terrified of heights. Just viewing the photo puts me into a cold sweat.

I hear you, my response to heights is varied. Years ago I tried climbing up a wire ladder around a huge tree in a native forest in Western Australia. I got up about 20 metres and could go no further. On the other hand I've had no trouble in chair lifts or in the gondola in Queenstown in NZ.

[MikeBiDude]

My first trip up the tram was for my 7th (or thereabouts) Birthday. The tram car was packed I was like a sardine amongst the big people. Air started getting thin at the top, my brother starts telling “stop pushing me”....I was fainting. Passed out, lol.

 

I’ve been up a 1/2 dozen time in my adult years but that first trip up sure sticks in my mind.

[+ Oliver]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Aerial_Tramway

 

Imo this is a must see for anyone visiting Palm Springs. There is a big change in temp between the bottom and the top. Colder. ...

I agree it is a must see. I'm not overly fond of heights either, but the car is totally enclosed (by glass) and it also revolves on it's way up and down so that all passengers get a good view. I have lost count of the number of times I have gone as it's one of the "must do" things when someone comes to visit me while I'm in PS. Last year when my grandson and his girlfriend visited, he proposed up there. They were married last month!

[+ Charlie]

I have acrophobia, yet I have no problem in the enclosed tramcars, and have made the trip many times with no anxiety. On the other hand, I can't walk out on an open balcony on a hi-rise, or walk across an open bridge, without fear of falling. The one time I tried to climb a Mayan temple at Tikal, I had no problem climbing up, but when I turned around to descend, I thought I would pass out. I had to crawl down backwards, very slowly. The restaurants at the top of the tram have been renovated, and although I haven't tried them yet myself, I've been told that they are greatly improved. There is a state park at the top, with hiking trails if you want to spend more time up there. A way to get the view without taking the tram is to drive up the other side of the mountain on route 243 and hike through the state park to the mountain station of the tram, but that will take several hours of travel and a lot of exertion. San Jacinto, BTW, is the second highest mountain in southern California, at almost 11,000 ft. but the top of the tram is not that high up.

[LaffingBear]

How long has the tram been a rotating car?

 

I guess I would try it again.... I thought the whole experience was a bore.

 

I went up the tram over 20 years ago, my one and only visit to PS. I'd only lived in CA 1-2 years, and quickly loved visiting Tahoe, hiking in the mountains, etc.

 

I took the tram up, and arriving at the top, every sign, notice, etc, was about staying on the paved trail. I walked out of the tram station, encountered asphalt trails, walked a couple of minutes, turned around, and got back on the tram and descended. To be fair, had I walked a little further, maybe the trails would have improved. And maybe its a different experience 20+ years later.

[+ Charlie]

I'm not sure when the new rotating cars were installed, but they have been there as long as I have lived in PS (13 years).

[bigvalboy]

It did take medication to get me to go up...once there, the views are amazing. However, I made the trip once, and have not repeated.

[+ Robster]

Last year when my grandson and his girlfriend visited, he proposed up there. They were married last month!

That's wonderful! And what a great place to propose.

 

Rob

[TruthBTold]

It did take medication to get me to go up...once there, the views are amazing. However, I made the trip once, and have not repeated.

 

Me, too. However I just take the same stuff I use to fly on airplanes - (I have found that other passengers really appreciate it). At any rate, they made the tramway ride oh so enjoyable.

[+ honcho]

Somewhat off topic - if you like great views from trams and have reason to be in Albuquerque NM, you might check out

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandia_Peak_Tramway

 

Wikipedia says it is the longest arial tram in the U.S. Starts at 6,559' and ascends to 10,388' .