Mount San Jacinto via Skyline Trail (Cactus to Clouds) in San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Hike Mount San Jacinto via Skyline Trail (Cactus to Clouds) San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Class 1 21.2 miles 10400 gain 10-14 hrs Shuttle May 7, 2015
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount San Jacinto via Skyline Trail (Cactus to Clouds) GPX Track

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This trail is only difficult because of the massive amount of vertical elevation gain. There are no scrambling obstacles, route-finding, or other difficulties. It's just a brutal leg pump on a well-maintained trail. The hike starts from the Palm Springs Art Museum and leads up from desert to forest. It's an incredibly cool route due to how many different ecosystems you pass through on the way to the summit of Mount San Jacinto. Along the way, you can stop at the Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway cafe for a break before doing the final push to the summit. You'll need to return back to the tramway to get down, otherwise expect to add an additional 9+ miles from the tramway back down to the desert. You will need to pay for a taxi or set up a shuttle if you take the tram. Also make sure you have money for the Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway down, and check for the closing time of the tram so you're not stranded on the mountain.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
San Jacinto Mountain
10839 ft
8319 rise

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Image 1 from gallery
The desert, about 3000 feet up before we started. Still seeing scraggly brush.
The desert, about 3000 feet up before we started. Still seeing scraggly brush.
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Gorgeous rock faces along the way.
Gorgeous rock faces along the way.
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Looking out from the Cactus to Clouds Trail. You can see the changes in the vegetation on the adjacent ridge.
Looking out from the Cactus to Clouds Trail. You can see the changes in the vegetation on the adjacent ridge.
Entering the forested section of the hike. Palm Springs visible far below.
Entering the forested section of the hike. Palm Springs visible far below.
Chris on the trail as the landscape transitions from desert plants to alpine trees.
Chris on the trail as the landscape transitions from desert plants to alpine trees.
Wind turbines far in the distance.
Wind turbines far in the distance.
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After the tram rest spot, headed toward the summit.
After the tram rest spot, headed toward the summit.
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Summit of Mt. San Jacinto.
Summit of Mt. San Jacinto.
Image 16 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!