Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - A Wheelchair Accessible Guide with Pictures

 Palm Springs, CA

April 2023

I made reservations for dinner near the top of a mountain buried in six feet of snow. For those not familiar with the Palm Springs region, San Jacinto Peak rises to almost 11,000ft. above sea level and over 8,000ft from the surrounding desert, making it the sixth most prominent peak in the lower forty-eight states. While you can reach the lofty summit by trail, I decided to take the easy path and booked a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

The tram takes riders from the valley to near the top in just 12 1/2 minutes. The station was completely accessible with an elevator to bypass the entrance stairs and the tram attendant had Kellisa board first which always makes it easier for everyone involved. The tram is 1 of only 3 in the world that rotates while ascending and descending the cables giving riders 360-degree views. Kellisa's favorite parts were when the tram passed over the support towers because the tram rocked and bounced more than usual. Everyone enjoyed her infectious giggles.

Once on top, we enjoyed the vast views, and Kellisa loved throwing snowballs at me. It didn't take long to get a little chilled and we went inside the mountain station. Kellisa warmed by the fire while I got our dinner. Our meal was hearty, and the atmosphere of the Pines Café was second to none. 

Before catching the second to last tram down for the night, we took one more look at the now fully lit valley far below. The tram attendant filled our ride back down the mountain with classic rock songs blasting from the speakers. Kellisa and most of the riders enjoyed singing "Sweet Home Alabama" in the darkness. 

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Wyler Aerial Tramway

 El Paso, Texas

March 27, 2009

Our day in El Paso actually started out in Houston. We had a connecting flight in Houston that we missed because our plane circled Houston for almost two hours. It was very late, Kellisa was passed out in her wheelchair and we learned that the next flight was in the morning. After a short night at a hotel, we were on our way to El Paso.

We arrived around noon and enjoyed some authentic Mexican food. Then it was off to the Wyler Aerial Tramway in Franklin Mountains State Park. We learned a couple of years ago while on vacation in Gatlinburg, TN that Kellisa loves trams and ski lifts.

The tramway is a four minute, 2,600 foot ride up Ranger Peak (5,632 feet above sea level) on a 1 3/8 inch diameter steel cable suspended 240 feet above the mountain walls.

Kellisa enjoyed the ride as it was bumpy, which to her, is more important than the views. The tram was small and driven by a Park Ranger who narrates the ride.

Below is the view from the summit looking out over El Paso, the Rio Grande River and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. 

Kellisa wheeling around the cold, windy, accessible summit platform. 

As one tram goes up, the other heads down the mountain. They slow as they pass to limit the bumps.

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Estes Park Aerial Tramway

  Estes Park, CO

June 2014

 

 

We saw a tram (Estes Park Aerial Tramway). Both girls love tram rides.We rode the tram to the top of a mountain to enjoy the views and a quick snack. It turned cold and rainy. We rode the tram back down. Kind of uneventful by our usual standards.

I would like to add that the tram ride and the mountain top were very accessible. The staff was pleasant and accommodating. However, we found the parking lot to the ticket counter and then back to the parking lot to the disabled entrance to the tram a doable struggle.

 

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