A couple of years ago my friend Jason and I, wanting to get out of San Diego for the day, headed up to Palm Springs to go hiking.  Those that live in Southern Callifornia are probably thinking "why would you wanna go hiking in the desert?"  Not looking for any sweaty challenges, we headed 8,000 feet up to the top of a mountain.  Entering Palm Springs from the south, there is a tall "Welcome to Palm Springs" sign which marks a narrow two lane road which disappears into canyon.  At the end of the road, there are multiple parking lots from which you can board a tram up to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway http://www.pstramway.com/.  The cable cars have been recently replaced by ones of a Sweedish design in which the cable cars rotate 360 degrees while moving up and down the mountain - guaranteeing a visitor an obstructed view of the sheer cliff faces and of the desert floor below.  At the top of mountain, one will find that the temperature has dropped significantly from the sometimes unbearable heat from the desert floor.  There is also a restaurant with a nice buffet.  Beyond the lodge, is a beautiful forest complete with camping grounds.