Chino Canyon (California) facts for kids
Chino Canyon is a desert canyon about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) long. You can find it in Riverside County, California, in the United States. It's one of the steepest canyons in North America! The canyon drops from over 8,500 feet (2,591 m) at its top edge to less than 2,700 feet (823 m) on the valley floor. This huge drop happens in less than a mile.
The famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was built here in 1963. It helps people quickly travel from the valley floor to the mountain top. After being updated in 2000, it became the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. This means the tram cars slowly spin as they go up, giving you amazing views!
Chino Canyon is located at the northern end of the San Jacinto Mountains. It's also at the northwestern part of the Coachella Valley. A stream from the canyon flows into the Whitewater River. The upper parts of the canyon are next to Mount San Jacinto State Park. The lower end is close to California State Highway 111 and the edge of Palm Springs.
Chino Canyon Creek
Chino Canyon is a desert area, but it has a special secret: it's fed by natural springs! These springs create a beautiful waterfall and a small stream. The stream's flow can reach about 5.4 cubic feet (0.15 cubic meters) per second.
This stream flows right under the Valley Station of the Aerial Tramway. After about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) down the canyon, the stream usually dries up. It's a great example of how water can create life in a desert environment.
