During our seven months' stay, rather a long sojourn, on UCR campus we visited several historical sites and tourist resorts, after every two weeks when Farhan would come from Oregon where he took up a job in Intel Inc. On May 23, 2013 we visited Santa Rosa and San Jacinta Mountains National Monument.
Our entourage consisted of our 2.6 months old granddaughter Saffana, my wife Shahana, our second daughter Sonia, Farhan and myself. The spot is conveniently located 6 miles from down town Palm Springs City, California. Farhan drove through Freeway via Beaumont to our destination. Nothing is free - how the entry fee/toll is collected varied at different spots. Here, parking fee @$15 per car was collected at entry point in the Valley Station at an elevation of 2,643 feet. To reach the Valley Station, facilities were available such as an incline elevator, ramp to Tram Cars, a mountain station elevator and other conveniences. Availing one of these facilities we reached the Valley Station. The Valley Station looked like a mini Mall providing facilities and conveniences, which need no description.
Now it was a countdown time coupled with excitement to avail of the travelling in the rotating Tram Car which transports visitors to the Mountain Station, an elevation of 8,516 feet. It is widely recognised that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the most unique adventure attractions on earth - an engineering marvel featuring the world's largest rotating excursion into the nature. The picture printed below shows this Tram Car.
Leaving behind our granddaughter at the care of Shahana and Farhan, Sonia and I moved into the Tram Car. This was a 10 minutes, 2 ½ miles trip that began at the Valley Station. Up top (picture printed below shows Sonia and the writer) a sign board shows welcoming all visitors.
Then we simply discovered an incredible scenic wonderland in Mt San Jacinta State Park (officially designated as a Monument) encompassing 54 miles of hiking trails, primitive campgrounds, a ranger station and an adventure centre for winter activities during snow season. The Park, encompassing 14,000 acres of pristine wilderness, offers wide array of recreational activities. All amenities were found available. Visitors were seen there with rucksacks and sleeping bags for overnight stay up there to enjoy night views. Among the visitors, the groups of people belong to engineers, botanists and others for discovery of things relevant to their research and study.
The Tram offers an enjoyable get away for everyone. During our ascent we passed through 5 unique life zones, from the Mexican Sonorant Desert to an Alpine wilderness. Along the way we observed special plants and animals distinct in each zone. These are divided like Zone I - Sonorant to 3500 ft, Zone II - Upper Sonorant to 4500 ft, Zone III - Lower transition to 5,500 ft, and Zone IV Upper transition to 7000 ft and Zone V - Arctic Alpine to 10,834 ft.
The Palm Spring Tram Car is the largest in the world; one of its kind. Once in July 1985 I had gone on top of a Swiss Alps Mountain capped in snow-field all around where hundreds of people were found skiing. As compared to the Tram Car under discussion it is far too big with a capacity up to 80 passengers, 3500 Pounds cabin weight loaded and climbed in one go. In Switzerland we had gone on top of the Alps Mountain in three laps of cable Cars each with capacity to carry up to 10-12 passengers only. The Palm Springs Tram Car has the specialty easy slow cabin rotation - twice per trip on ascent and descent, used actual length of cables; 2708 ft and there are total five giant Towers; first tower is the tallest at 227 ft.
Interestingly, the Palm Springs Tram Car was manufactured by a Swiss company. Switzerland is famous for her expertise in mountaineering engineering products of all sorts.
It was a red letter day, for we visited a wonder spot up top Mt San Jacinto. It is said that VIP guests often visit this wonderland.
The writer is Ex-Commercial Secretary, Bangladesh High Commission, London, who can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]
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