January 31, 2020
Looking for a getaway from San Diego that's drivable, but feels exotic and allows you to enjoy desert + snow on the same trip? Look no further than the Palm Desert, where you can camp near Joshua Tree + swim in naturally thermal-heated pools or take the world's largest rotating gondola up 8,200 feet to a Winter Wonderland.
It takes a couple/few hours to drive up to Sam’s Spa + Resort up in the Palm Desert, depending on when you leave; but even if you leave right smack dab during rush hour, you’ll enjoy getting away from it all when you roll into the camping area – even if you have to pitch your tent in the dark (like we always do).
Troop 682 with Mt. San Jacinto in the background
We rolled in on a Friday night, set up camp, and got up early (6AM) the next morning to do a quick breakfast – “quick” meaning no cooking, just muffins + yogurt, that kind of thing. Then we drove to the Aerial Tram. We were there within half an hour.
Route from Sam’s Spa to the Aerial Tram Station + mountain
Once there, everyone was super excited to ride the gondola.
“The largest rotating gondola in the world”
The ecosystem changed dramatically from low chaparral + desert sands to rocky outcroppings of pines + lots of snow. The bird life at altitude was rich.
View out of the gondola – it was spectacular!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a photo of the map, preferably in high-resolution. If you get lost, you may need to refer to the map, and you won’t have a signal at altitude beyond the tram station’s WiFi. Ask me how I know this.
Map of the park
If you get there early, the park – and any landmarks you may be relying on – will look drastically different just a couple hours later when the sun rises up higher in the sky. Again, ask me how I know this.
Woodpeckers have gone crazy making holes to stash their food in this Tree Pantry
I took a photo of the “Wilderness Safety” recommendations, but more to take note of the wildlife featured. Had I read the warnings + ensured we all had our “10 Essentials,” I wouldn’t have almost gotten seriously lost.
As it was, I got momentarily lost; once while walking around completely alone – which you are NOT supposed to ever do (see bottom three warnings, below).
Read all the warnings! I didn’t.
Stay in pairs or more! It’s better for snowball fighting anyway.
Snowball fight prep
To be honest, the snowballs were more like ice balls.
Helmets highly recommended for just walking around, due to ice.
And the terrain was incredibly slippery.
Was this snow play, or a fall? Who can say.
I didn’t think to bring helmets, so everyone was lending theirs around. Remember to bring helmets + small, light sleds like the one pictured here. You’ll thank me later when you’re walking back up to the tram station!
Your best bet is a lightweight disc-shaped sled (and helmet)
Just don’t expect them to last through the rigors of human weight on rock-hard ice.
About 30% of sleds wound up broken
The great thing about staying at Sam’s Spa is coming back to the heated pools + Jacuzzis. They are naturally heated by nearby thermal springs, continuously flushed through, and they contain a multitude of natural minerals.
After the snow play, come back to Sam’s Spa to swim in naturally thermal-heated pools!
The Jacuzzis are heated to varying degrees, naturally. Again, no chlorine is used, so you’ll smell the interesting aroma of the naturally-occurring minerals.
There are hot tubs with varying degrees of heat
There are cacti everywhere at Sam’s Spa, but not nearly as many as there are RVs. This place was really MADE for RVs, so if you have one, I highly recommend staying here.
cactus at Sam’s Spa
Here’s a mash-up of some video I took over the weekend:
And don’t forget to pack adequate warm clothes + LAYERS.
Thanks for looking, and happy Weekend Adventuring! xoxo
