I took the Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs to get to the top of Mount San Jacinto in Southern California, early on a gorgeous morning. Very nice way to spend a day !

This is a view towards the North, encompassing part of the Coachella Valley and the City of Palm Springs. Apparently, on clear days, we can see Mount Charleston located near Las Vegas, 100 miles away.

Daily temperatures hover around 120 degrees F in Palm Springs, almost as hot as Death Valley. Atop the mountain, you are basking in 85 deg F pine-scented fresh air, well above the layer of smog coming from the Los Angeles Basin with the prevailing westerly winds.

Pentax K1 + DFA 28-105 mm HD zoom @ f/11 and 34 mm FL.

[MikeNArk]

The smog is really evident in the valley. It provides a great contrast to the clear air in higher elevations.

[RICHARD L.]

THX !

The mountain we see in the distance in the upper center of the image is Mount Charleston, located in Nevada according to travel literature I was consulting at the time.

Atop Mount San Jacinto, there is a restaurant, a bar, walking paths and you can even register and camp there in a tent for the night. It almost freezes even in July though.

Regards

[ToddK]

That is a great view from up there. It is a place that I never got to when I was living in Las Vegas. I did a bit of hiking on Mt Charleston, however. It is amazing to be up on the top in the pine trees looking down on the hot desert below.

[angkymac]

I've been around this area, and have been up in these mountains in the winter--a lot of snow up there at that time.
Very different view from the one you show for this summer shot.
Angky.

[RICHARD L.]

THX !

Of course, getting up the mountain isn't free but, what an experience ! Two of my most prized excursions in So Cal were sailing to Catalina Island and climbing atop Mount San Jacinto.

A well-spent day ...

Regards