<P> The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California, is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world . It was opened in September 1963 as a way of getting from the floor of the Coachella Valley to relatively near the top of San Jacinto Peak and was constructed in rugged Chino Canyon . Before its construction, the only way to the top of the mountain was to hike a number of hours from Idyllwild . </P> <P> The twelve - and - a-half minute ride begins at the Valley Station (coordinates: 33 ° 50 ′ 14" N 116 ° 36 ′ 51" W ﻿ / ﻿ 33.8372 ° N 116.6142 ° W ﻿ / 33.8372; - 116.6142 Coordinates: 33 ° 50 ′ 14" N 116 ° 36 ′ 51" W ﻿ / ﻿ 33.8372 ° N 116.6142 ° W ﻿ / 33.8372; - 116.6142) at 2,643 ft (806 m) and passes up North America's sheerest mountain face through five life zones (biomes) on its way to the Mountain Station (coordinates: 33 ° 48 ′ 47" N 116 ° 38 ′ 19" W ﻿ / ﻿ 33.8130 ° N 116.6385 ° W ﻿ / 33.8130; - 116.6385) at 8,516 ft (2,596 m) above sea level . Travelers start in the Sonoran Desert and arrive at an alpine forest . </P> <P> The floor of the 18 - foot - diameter (5.5 m) aerial tram - cars rotates constantly, making two complete revolutions throughout the duration of the journey so that the passengers can see in all directions without moving . With a maximum capacity of 80 passengers it is the largest of the three rotating aerial trams in the world . The other "Rotair" aerial trams are located in Cape Town, South Africa and Titlis, Switzerland . </P>

What is the elevation of the palm springs tram