“Season” has ended, part-timers have left for the summer, and the rest of us have the desert to ourselves — roads, restaurants, attractions, and hiking trails.
Yes, you can hike in the summer if you start before dawn — or if you invest $85 in the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Summer Pass, offering unlimited tram rides to the verdant, pine-scented wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park, 8,600 feet above the Coachella Valley. (The pass is valid May 1 through Aug. 31 and includes free parking.)
For my partner Edgar and me, dedicated hikers, the investment pays for itself in the first week. On weekdays, we squeeze in quick hikes after work, usually choosing the easy but awe-inspiring Desert View Trail. On weekends, we rise early to catch the first tram, rushing to the Long Valley Ranger Station to register for wilderness permits and continuing to the trailheads leading to Round Valley, Hidden Lake, Wellman Divide, and San Jacinto Peak. The state park weaves over 50 miles of trails across 14,000 acres of pristine alpine wilderness and invites picnicking and camping in designated spots.
Up here, forest life prevails. Pine trees, scrub oaks, and ferns are home to a variety of critters, woodpeckers, eagles, and deer. We’ve even seen a bobcat.
Every hike starts with the 10-minute tram ride, soaring 2.5 miles through five ecological zones to temperatures 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the triple digits on the desert floor. Here are four of our favorite hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous, each a path to stunning scenery.
You can see the entire Coachella Valley and out to the Salton Sea from Notch 3 on the Desert View Trail.
Photo by linda chavous
Desert View Trail
On workdays, the 1.5-mile Desert View Trail offers a quick escape, gaining 334 feet over an hour. After coming down the walkway from Mountain Station, the trailhead appears on the left. The well-marked path winds gently, leading to striking overlooks (“notches”), especially Notch 3, where you’ll marvel at the sweeping 120-degree view of the Coachella Valley — on clear days, you can see all the way to the Salton Sea. As you continue along the trail, stop to read the interpretive plaques, including one inviting you to “Meet Jeff!” — or, more accurately, inhale the vanilla- or butterscotch-like scent of the Jeffrey pine’s reddish-brown bark. The most challenging part of this adventure: climbing the walkway back to Mountain Station.
Willow Creek Trail to Hidden Lake
Stop at the ranger station to secure one of the limited daily permits to enter the environmentally sensitive Hidden Divide Natural Preserve, 255 acres known for its rich biodiversity. The moderately challenging 3.4-mile route begins on Willow Creek Trail, gaining 650 feet in elevation as it leads into the preserve.
You’ll soon discover how the elusive lake earned its name. Look for a clearing with a spire-shaped tree, where you’ll veer off the trail toward a 40-foot-long split wooden rail fence marking the well-worn path to the lake. “Hidden Lake is a rare montane vernal pool formed by the seasonal accumulation of winter runoff into a shallow basin with [an] impermeable solid layer below,” an interpretative panel explains. “It provides a unique habitat for many species of plants and animals.” In the summer, the water evaporates, the pool shrinks, and flowers bloom in its margins.
PHOTO BY STEVEN BILLER
Hidden Lake, supported by winter runoff, evaporates in the summer.
Photo by steven biller
Continue beyond the lake to the cliff viewpoint for views of Palm Springs and the desert beyond before returning to Mountain Station and descending via tram car.
We typically complete this out-and-back hike in just over 90 minutes. You can extend the adventure by connecting to trails such as the Round Valley Loop.
Round Valley Loop
For a more vigorous challenge with rewarding views at the end, we favor the 4.5-mile Round Valley Loop. From the ranger station, head right onto the Round Valley Trail. The path follows a seasonal creek, where the soothing sound of flowing water accompanies your ascent through towering Jeffrey pines and massive granite formations blanketed in bright green lichen. Sharp eyes will spot evidence of Native American presence, including metates carved into rocks flanking the trail.
You’ll gain 945 feet in elevation, reaching a breathtaking 9,000-foot vista that overlooks mountain ranges and the expansive valley. Two miles in, you’ll arrive at the Round Valley junction; take the High Trail to your left to continue eastward. After about a mile on this mostly flat segment, you’ll reach the Willow Creek Trail junction. Turn left and descend through meadows, fragrant pines, and a few rocky stretches. In less than a mile, this trail will lead you back to the ranger station.
Tahquitz Peak comes into view at Wellman Divide, a stopping point en route to San Jacinto Peak.
Photo by tom brewster
Wellman Divide and San Jacinto Peak
The hike to Wellman Divide and San Jacinto Peak — the second-highest mountain in Southern California — presents two theaters of alpine beauty and a great physical challenge.
The 11.6-mile journey to the peak and back begins amid the tree-covered slopes of Long Valley Creek and progresses through the sun-drenched meadows of Round Valley. After about 3 miles, the trail steepens as you climb the strenuous mile to Wellman Divide, where breathtaking panoramas let you know that you’ve arrived. Keep an eye out for the dome of the Palomar Observatory to the west and the silhouette of Tahquitz Peak to the southwest.
You could feel satisfied with the workout and the views and head back from here, making it a 6.2-mile day. Or you can continue 2.7 miles to the peak along a narrow trail flanked by dense shrubs, clocking the full 2,400 feet in elevation. You’ll encounter a stone cabin before the final half mile, which requires light bouldering — one last challenge before you reach the summit and your richly earned bragging rights. Pack a lunch to enjoy with the view and watch for the yellow-and-black western tiger swallowtail butterflies that frequent the peak.
At the end of your hike, remember to drop your wilderness permit into the mailbox outside the ranger station before ascending the steep walkway to Mountain Station.
Take time on the deck to enjoy the cool breeze and views stretching from the Salton Sea to the San Gorgonio Pass or treat yourself to a drink and a bite at the Lookout Lounge, Pines Café, or Peaks Restaurant before descending back into the heat.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a newcomer, the tram offers a refreshing lift in the summer — straight to breezy, high-altitude adventures in one of California’s highest state parks.
