Parking Fee

[Norris]

I am also puzzled by their plans to have a 'zip line' - is that what it is called? - in Round Valley. That's an effort to boost traffic.

Oh no!! I once joked on this forum about installing a zip line because while descending the northern-most gully which runs from Tamarack Valley to Long Valley I noticed that I could see the tram station through the trees and that it would be technically possible to install a zip line for rapid access to the tram from the top of the gully. God help us if they actually do this! I can't imagine that it would pass environmental review though.
Personally, I would like to see the tram shut down on safety grounds relating to seismic / earthquake concerns. The construction of the towers seems to be totally inadequate to resist a substantial earthquake. And it is built right on the San Andreas fault! The whole thing will come tumbling down when the "big one" happens. I like to imagine the mountain without the tram. Annoying crowds of tourists gone. Commitment required to climb the mountain from Palm Springs - restored to what it used to be. Imagine doing Skyline back in the day - no tram station, no quick ride down, no ranger station, no tap water. It would be great.

[Arvanitis]

Since I am not from the local area, does anyone know if the tramway parking booth is manned AFTER 8pm? Gate still open going up? We are doing a one-way hike and coming down the tram the next day so we will be dropping off a car at the tram the night before between 8-9pm.

Many thanks for your help!

Chris

[guest]

Hey Arvanitis,

Most afternoons I've been there, the parking peeps close up shop, I think around 6, (but this is a learning phase from the tram, so hours may vary).
I'd imagine the tram figures it doesn't pay for the two workers to be there late, just to collect $20-$50 buck for a couple hours.

ss

[Sally]

Grrrrrr... So they really went ahead with it. What morons! I can only imagine the chaos that will happen on a REALLY busy day. Fortunately for me I keep an annual pass. Although I am usually one of the first to arrive at the parking lot I guess it would be a good idea to get there even earlier. I wonder what time the parking fee kiosk starts letting cars through?

[Sally]

I just checked the Tram website and answered my own question. The parking kiosk apparently opens at 7 AM.

[Hikin_Jim]

That parking fee is just such a bad idea. That kiosk is going to be such a bottle neck. Cars are going to overheat and stall waiting in line to pay. Good reason I guess to not take the tram.

HJ

[Anni8]

Hikin' Jim,
It doesn't appear to be as bad as I previously thought. I have hiked up there 2-3 times a week including weekends and there have been no long lines. Of course, I go right at the time they open. I did have to wait the very first week they announced the $5 parking fee but it really hasn't been too bad since. I do think one booth is not enough though.

[Hikin_Jim]

I go right at the time they open.

How much time do you allow for your arrival prior to the the tram that you want to catch? For example, if you want the 0800 tram, do you arrive at 7:30? 7:00?

HJ

[zippetydude]

I agree that the process will probably create a wait as an unintended consequence. Ironically, if the nuisance factor is too big, it might actually deter riders like me who hate waiting, thereby lowering ridership and cutting into tram revenue. A simple rate hike in the tickets would have avoided the necessity to create the whole system to charge for parking, but I'm sure that would have had its drawbacks as well. I think you may have a good point there HJ about allowing extra time to make it to the tram in case of parking delays.

z

[Anni8]

If I am catching the 8:00 tram, I make sure I get to the toll gate no later than 7:40.