My husband planned a trip to Palm Springs over the weekend for our anniversary. We cut out of work early and headed cross town.
As we got closer to the mountains the winds picked up considerably (high wind advisory posted) and we were surrounded by everyone else that was racing to get home or out of town early on a Friday. Not a great combination to ride in so we headed south to CA Route 74.
The area around Route 74 is fairly rural as it approaches the San Jacinto Mountains. The range is the second highest in SoCal and you climb fast. Signs warn of steep grades and sharp curves. What a fantastic road; banked curves, decent visibility, beautiful views and not much traffic. As we came down the eastern side it was all big sweepers. If you ever ride in SoCal this is a road you don’t want to miss!
I wish I had pictures but we wanted to get out of the mountains before it got dark. We were geared for temps close to 80 and it dropped into the 50’s up there.
We dropped into Palm Desert just as the sun was setting. I admit not being a fan of the desert but I have to admit the way the light plays off the mountains there can be absolutely spectacular.
I’ve been hearing about the Palm Springs Aerial Tram for years but had never been on it so that is how we spent or Saturday. You ride up a short road that takes you about 2000 ft up the side of a mountain to reach the tram station. The tram ride takes you another 8000 feet up in 10 minutes. Quite a few people were taking up sleds and snow shoes and skis can be rented at the top. I didn’t think the mesh of my motorcycle jacket would do a lot to keep out snow so we stuck with hiking around and looking at the views.
The vertical parking lot from hell.
A look down the tram lines. I think you can hike this. Notice I said
you, not a me!
Looking down on the Coachella Valley. Can't see it here but you can see all the way to Salton Sea, California's largest lake (saltwater).
Wind Farm in the San Gorgonio Pass. There are over 4000 windmills there.
Back in the flat lands.
