Suggestions for a vacationer

[nattiebo]

Hi! Great site you have! I'm going to be vacationing in Palm Springs next week and wanted to get out and about and do some hiking. Any certain trails you would suggest for someone who plans to get out and get some physical activity with a 20+ lb. 10 month old strapped to her back?

Is the tram really my best option for both of us to avoid dehydration? If we were to take the tram up, how much hiking could we do from there? I don't think it's realistic for us to hike from the bottom, but maybe there are some easier routes in shade??

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[Hikin_Jim]

I think the tram is your best bet. Hiking from Palm Springs is tough and HOT without much shade. If you have a car available, you can drive around to the Idyllwild side and go up one of the trails, but most of those have a good amount of gain.

The tram ride is a little expensive ($21.95 -- kids under 3 are free), but the ride in and of itself is worth it. There's some video of the ride at http://www.pstramway.com/tickets-gifts.asp. When you get out of the tram, you're at 8000 or so feet in shady pine forest. You have to walk down a long concrete ramp, but when you reach the bottom, there are a series of fairly easy trails you can take. Probably the most frequent destination is Round Valley. There are a couple of steep spots and one spot where you have to kind of squeeze through/clamber over some rocks. I think it would be doable with a baby carrier; it would probably be easier if you have another adult with you in case you wanted to pass the child & carrier through/over something at any given spot.

The state park has some info at: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=636 including a map at http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files ... oSPmap.pdf There's a 4.4 mile loop you can do to Round Valley, returning via a route a bit further south. You could also call the Ranger station and ask them for recommendations.

[Perry]

I would stay close to the tram and do the nature trail. 8,400 feet probably won't cause problems for the baby, but if he/she does have problems, then at least the tram is close by and you can ride down. Then, if all goes well, you can come back the next day and the baby would be more acclimated for Round Valley.

Or if you get up really early it's not too hot at 5:00 am or 6:00 am.

[TRumble24]

One caution about babies and young children and the tram would be ear aches caused by the ascent/descent and pressure change. I'm sure it dosn't happen to all children, but on two occasions I have seen small children crying on the tram because of bad ear aches.

But yes I would reccomend the Desert View trail at the tram as a good hike to do while carrying a child. Also I would reccomend the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs, they are pretty awesome and you can also find shade in the Palm Oasis'. Very close to downtown Palm Springs as well.

[magikwalt]

I would also recommend the Indian Canyons early in the morning. You can get in there at 8:00am and stay under the palm trees at the Indian Trading Post until it get too warm.

Great photo ops, drive the car through a great rock formation squeezing the road and several very nice places for a picnic. There are also multiple streams running in the area. Just ask at the park entrance and they'll direct you. Its also just 10 short minutes away from downtown Palm Springs.

[Felipe de España]

Sounds like a lot of good ideas from the gang here.
I'm thinking - little one in a child pack. Why not
The Living Desert in Palm Desert, with the side hike out
to Eisenhower Mountain for a great view of the valley.
This time of year the park closes early- think at 12:00pm
because of the heat.
Kid sees the animals and sites and you get a short hike in too!
Food for thought.