PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 19, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate extended holiday hours on Monday, September 3, 2018 in observance of Labor Day. That day, the first Tram up will be at 8:00 a.m., the last Tram up will be 8:00 p.m. and last Tram down will be at 9:45 p.m. Trams depart at least every 30 minutes.  

The Tramway’s “Early Friday” program ends August 31 and the regular Friday schedule resumes September 7 with the first Tram up at 10:00 a.m.

Also, September 1 is the end of the Tramway’s “Summer Hours” on Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning Friday, September 7, the Tramway’s last car up daily will again be 8:00 p.m. and the last car down will be 9:45 p.m.

The Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness concludes the summer’s “Junior Ranger Days” on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2. These popular events led by Interpreter Allison Barnes are held at the base of the Mountain Station’s walkway from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include such children’s activities as “Leave No Trace” games, “Spin the Wheel” information board and “Meet & Greet” with animal pelts.

Finally, the Tramway’s Summer Pass ends August 31, but the Annual Pass is still available for purchase either online (www.pstramway.com) or at the Tram’s Valley Station. The price is $160 for adults and $90 for children and includes 365 days of fun!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August  8, 2018) Rotary Club of Palm Springs kicked-off a new program this summer to help acquaint local youth with the wonders of nature through a series of four escorted hikes in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. From June through August, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs have met at the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a tram ride, a guided hike led by a State Park volunteer and then lunch at the Mountain Station’s Pines Café.

Rotarian Jerry Ogburn states, “We live so close to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, yet many local kids have never had the chance to explore its Alpine forests. Therefore, our club decided to underwrite this inaugural program,” adding, “So far, the kids seem to love it!”

According to Boys & Girls Club Senior Program Director Andrea Madrigal, “The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is so thankful to the Rotary Club of Palm Springs for sponsoring our Club members and families to attend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway hiking and exploration program. Many of these children have never had the opportunity to go up the tram so this is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for our youth. They are given the opportunity to bond with Rotarians, fellow [Boys & Girls] Club members and parents while enjoying the cool summer air and wildlife up at the top of the tram.”

While parents complimented the program’s educational and informational elements, when the kids were asked what they liked most, responses included “Seeing the Salton Sea,” “Smelling the trees,” “Views from Notch 5” and—of course—“The pizza afterwards!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Behrens, 909-382-2788

Recreation areas to reopen after Cranston and Ribbon fires

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a new forest order, which reduces the size of the Cranston Fire Closure Area. The original order on July 28 temporarily closed all U.S. Forest Service lands within both the San Jacinto Ranger District and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument due to fire activity related to the Cranston and Ribbon fires. The new order, which goes into effect on Saturday, August 4, leaves areas around the Cranston Fire burn area closed.

The new order means the majority of popular hiking trails, campgrounds and roads on the district and national monument will reopen on Saturday. Popular recreational sites that will remain closed include the South Ridge Trail, the South Ridge Road and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout, which can be hiked to from the South Ridge Trail, will remain open with access via the Devils Slide Trail from the Humber Park Trailhead. The lookout itself was not damaged in the fire.

A map of the new Cranston Fire Closure Area can be viewed in the attached documents. The closure order is in effect through July 31, 2019, but its length and footprint may be adjusted as conditions change. Private land and recreational facilities run by other government agencies within the closure area are not affected by this order.

The Cranston Fire is currently at 13,139 acres with 96% containment and the Ribbon Fire grew to 205 acres and was 100% contained on July 30.

To keep updated on the Cranston Fire, check InciWeb and the forest’s social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.