Our Tramway Adventure

My eldest four sons and I had a number of camping experiences together following their mother’s departure. Devoid of her incessant insistence of her own personal requirements, we could simply enjoy the experiences together and form memories central to our own individualized experiences. Of particular note was our camping experience at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.  Following months of arranging schedules, visiting opportunities, and imposed requirements; I picked up the boys with their hiking packs and sleeping bags. Driving beyond customary hiking venues toward the Palm Springs Tramway located at the foot of the steep San Jacinto Mountain range overlooking Palm Springs itself; we eventually arrived at the tramway’s parking lot.

Inasmuch as the hot temperatures of the Southern California region can impose a truly difficult and thirsty element as hikers endeavor to attain the more temperate environments of more elevated climes; I determined that I’d introduce my sons to the more delightful experiences of mountain meadows while simultaneously avoiding strains of hiking through parched environments to get to them. My eldest, Michael, was a robust, strong, young teen when we ventured this hiking/camping experience. My other sons, stair-stepped down by a few years apiece to the youngest of our party – Paul; who was well into his growing childhood and now deemed hearty enough to engage such an undertaking with his father and elder brothers. While certainly cognizant of all; I knew I’d need to pay particular attention to Paul due to his limited experience with such adventurous and strenuous outings. The excitement in the boy’s banter revealed their anticipation as we traveled the canyons betwixt the San Gorgonio Mountain range (where we’d enjoy multiple excursions amidst her San Gorgonio Wilderness Areas) and the San Jacinto mountains that provided Lake Hemet (where we’d fished several times). Knowing that we’d all like to avoid the dreaded heat and exhaustion of the hiking part of our shared camping experience, I opted to capitalize on the steep, easy ride provided by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Following our purchase of tickets; we excitedly boarded our next available, awaiting gondola. Carrying camping and hiking paraphernalia; we stood out amidst the other gondola passengers; and it was evident that we intended to hike and camp amidst the forest scenes at the top of the tramway’s ascent. Fellow passengers commented regarding the boys and their gear - evident as we stood during the tram’s ascent amidst the observably progressive floral sights along the tramway’s ascension. The boys excitedly announced their intent to camp with their father amidst the forests surrounding the summit’s facilities. The excitement of the boy’s anticipation was evident and the accompanying passengers expressed their enthusiasm toward the boy’s intentions.

This gondola ride would swiftly lift us above the dry, dusty oppressive environment of the desert valley and easily transport us (hiking packs and all) to the ~9000-foot alpine heights of the San Jacinto mountains – prior to commencing our hike to our camping site.  We soon commenced our gradual ascent up the canyon tramway - it revealing a progression from the dry dusty environment at the bottom; through the greening foliage that accompanied our view from the cable car along the tramway’s path upward to the lush greenery that greeted us ~20 minutes later at the tramways summit!  Having just been entranced by our transit through multiple environments and exposure to the now comfortable temperatures of a much higher elevation! I was pretty confident that my young sons did not fully appreciate that their pleasant ride had avoided an undoubtable full day slogging up a dry dusty trail to where we now comfortably began our trek in the afternoon cool toward our nearby camp site. A trek of difficult and exhausting hours had just been reduced to a short, entertaining ride! The drama of our memorable excursion had been reduced to a mere footnote of the event.

Although we had virtually no opportunity to acclimatize ourselves to that lofty elevation; the relative comfort of hiking along well-worn horizontal pathways permitted us a relatively comfortable stroll through the alpine meadows toward our chosen camping site.

Our map displayed many trails commencing at the Tramway terminal. Thus, we were presented with many possibilities available to us as we surveyed our options in the forested clime. We eventually set ourselves toward Round Valley which was only a couple of miles away along a well-worn, identifiable trail. Being reasonably easy to hike; we set out single file; trekking toward the area where we would camp. Inasmuch as my sons were relatively young (with Paul very unfamiliar with hiking challenges); I had Michael lead our little group; while I followed All - in order to monitor their well-being and protect them (if needed). Our packs had been weighted according to the strength of its hiker. (Each was loaded lightly for the experience.) It being relatively late in the afternoon and wanting to assure ample time to set up camp; we aggressively hiked during the gathering afternoon along our beautiful path toward our camp site and subsequent setup of tents and campfire.

Trail to Round Valley

Endeavoring to provide a comfortable hike for my sons, I assured we’d incur frequent rests along our path (~ every 20 minutes) to swig a drink, catch our breath and enjoy our pleasant surroundings. In this way their packs would provide them with the pride of achievement without being unduly laborious. The scenery along the path also offered cool, pleasant surroundings with which to rest. (Their burdens would be lightened with frequent breathers.) As we neared Round Valley, we departed the trail and inspected several campsites available to us. (There was virtually no one even near us and we saw no other hikers throughout the following two days.) We finally settled on a somewhat obscure camp site well away from the trail we’d traversed on our way there.

The camp site we finally settled on was a forested area across a broad field from the main trail. It provided several areas where we’d be able to pitch our tents within reasonable distance of each other. Michael, Grant and Bret would sleep in the larger of our tents; with Paul and I sleeping in a pup tent nearby. They were close enough that each could cry out to the other should such be needed during the night. Our fire would be located amidst some house-sized boulders that formed a shelter from possible wind. Our tents were located just outside the perimeter of the clustered boulders. The entire campsite was less than 30 feet from the edge of the steeply sloping mountainside that looked out upon the Palm Springs area in the valley below.

Upon erecting our tents and stowing our belongings therein; we cooked our hot dog dinner; and sat eating it along the edge of the mountainside. As we enjoyed the gathering twilight and the gradual illumination of Palm Springs flickering street lights below; the entire valley spread beneath us and we relished the sounds and smells of the forest surrounding us. Being nestled in the tops of the San Jacinto mountains; we could observe the gathering darkness of the shadows below while enjoying the sunshine at our elevated locale. Resting and languishing in our pleasant campsite, we soon doused our glowing fire and retired to our tents and individual sleeping bags. Our camp set up had gone well and we settled in for a dark night. I could easily hear my sons in the nearby tent (~10 feet away) and enjoyed their youthful banter as they settled in. Paul and I likewise settled in for our sleep next to each other in the pup tent. As the darkness fell, I listened intently to hear any four-legged intruders that might frighten my brave sons in the nearby tent. Hearing nothing I was about to fade into slumber when I heard animals rustling just across the meadow facing our pup tent. The howls of a few coyotes sounded out and the boys expressed stifled concern.  Assuring them we’d not be bothered; they settled down to sleep.

About then, Paul shyly expressed alarm that some coyotes seemed nearby; and I could hear the fear in my young son’s voice.  I got out my flashlight to rest his mind; opening the flaps of our tent to reveal none nearby.  Unfortunately, however, a couple of coyotes were about a hundred yards away across the meadow and their bright eyes reflected in the flashlight’s beam. Seeing such unsettling images in the darkness just outside our tent (as it seemed to Paul), he repeated his anxiety with an increased measure of fear hidden within his attempt to display courage.  I attempted to calm my young son, as we watched their antics from our sleeping bags in the light’s beam. I explained that the animals were particularly wary of our presence and would not bother us. Gathering him into my arms; I soothed his frightened soul there amidst the coyotes yapping and cavorting.   Finally, I yelled at the animals and they scattered into the night.   It was then that I felt Paul’s young body relax and observed the steady sounds of slumbering childhood. Reminded of the treasured soul I comforted; I watched him slowly recede in calmness; and I gently lay him aside as we both faded into welcome sleep. Though the coyotes continued their distant activities, we were all within the safe fabric of our tent walls and slept through the remainder of the night.

The next day was a blur as each boy enjoyed the activities of camping following our early breakfast. Some would chop with the hatchet we’d brought along while others whittled. Having brought along mitts and a baseball, I would play ‘catch’ with several of them throughout the day. Giving the older boys the challenge of preparing dinner, several hours were spent preparing our evening meal over the campfire, eating it, and cleaning up thereafter. The next night was uneventful as the boys and I had become accustomed to our camp site and surroundings.

As our final morning arrived, we arose from our beds and prepared our breakfast.  We’d allowed the morning light to develop so we could prepare a big breakfast to carry us through a day that we expected to be demanding.  Inasmuch as no one camped even near us, we expected to enjoy the morning’s events alone.  However, as we prepared our food around the fire, a lone coyote darted up over the crest of the ridge (a short distance away) and directly through our camp.  Inasmuch as it ran within ~10 feet of our fire, it did not appear to be overly afraid of its circumstance.  Up until that time I’d not been overly concerned.  The three older boys were of a size that a coyote would likely be frightened by them.  However, Paul was a young ~3-foot boy and might not be big enough to cause fear in a large coyote.  I did not want to allow any kind of confrontation between any of the boys and a coyote.  So, I called upon each of the boys to mount one of the several house sized rocks that surrounded our campfire as I finished preparations for our breakfast.  Several coyotes took a similar path; scampering through our camp as we finished cooking and I thought such an experience, while indeed tremulous, offered an excitement to my sons that I had not counted on.  As I kept Paul in a safe place and watched over him carefully, I felt significantly secure regarding his well-being.  Following several occurrences, the boy’s seemed to settle down and enjoy their sighting of the several coyotes that followed the apparent trail of their predecessors.