Leatherneck ridge takes you up from the desert floor in Palm Springs to the tram station. According to the legend name came from a group of marines that had to be rescued from the ridge, hence the term "leatherneck".
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| Leatherneck ridge map |
Parking is on the road near Visitor Center. Cross the valley and follow the ridge, which is directly west and runs parallel to Tram way road. There is no established trail, it's mostly cross country travel with deer 'trails' here and there.
There are few bushwhacking sections with the worst one is near the top. You will not stuck, but it does take time to find path of the least resistance and go back time to time to find better route.
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| Looking back at Visitor Center |
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| Ridge |
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| Deer |
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| Ridge |
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| First pine trees |
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| Last section of the ridge |
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| San Gorgonio |
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| San Jacinto |
Distance: 9 miles, altitude gain: 9200 ft, total hiking time 12:50
