Round Valley Loop

The Round Valley Loop is an exceptional moderate hike through the subalpine landscapes of Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness, accessible via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and offering a comprehensive experience of the mountain's high-elevation ecosystems without the grueling commitment of a full summit attempt. Beginning at the tram's Mountain Station at 8,516 feet, this 4-mile loop traverses terrain that feels profoundly remote despite the relatively easy access by tram.

The trail passes through magnificent forests of lodgepole pine, the dominant tree at this elevation, before opening into Round Valley, a broad subalpine meadow ringed by dramatic granite peaks that creates one of the most picturesque mountain landscapes in Southern California. The meadow supports a rich assortment of wildflowers during summer months, including columbine, paintbrush, and various species of penstemon that transform the valley floor with color from July through August.

The surrounding granite peaks rise sharply above the meadow, providing a dramatic backdrop that gives the landscape a scale and grandeur unexpected so close to the urban areas of the Los Angeles basin. Wildlife commonly observed in and around the meadow includes yellow-bellied marmots, golden-mantled ground squirrels, Clark's nutcrackers, and occasionally mule deer. The loop gains 600 feet of elevation on well-maintained wilderness trails. A wilderness permit is required and available at the ranger station near the tram. The combined vehicle and tram fee applies. Dogs are not permitted in the wilderness area.