Hikes to the Top
Olive Mountain
Date: May 21, 2011 - 7:30 a.m.
Trail Rating: Difficult, 3.6 miles round trip with an elevation change of 1,100 feet.
Staging Area: Palm Middle School parking lot, 11900 Slawson Avenue, Moreno Valley
Olive Hill is the peak north of the Moreno Valley city limits and east of Perris Boulevard. The hike begins at Palm Middle School which is on the northeast corner of Ironwood Avenue and Slawson Avenue. Ironwood Avenue is north of the 60 Freeway; Slawson Avenue is between Perris Boulevard and Nason Street.
We meet in the parking lot on the north side of campus and the hike proceeds north on Slawson Avenue. Slawson Avenue ends at Kalmia Avenue where we turn left. We go down Kalmia Avenue approximately a quarter of mile then turn right on Kitching Street. When the pavement ends, along with a barrier that blocks vehicle access, we continue up the dirt path. When we reach the base of the hill, we see a number of different trails. There is a prominent trail that crosses the trail we traveled. To the left, you will see the more prominent trail goes along the south edge of an old olive orchard planted on the slope; veering to the left the path will continue on the east side of the olive trees. The more prominent trail goes right with a pretty challenging climb along the base of Olive Hill. The trail we are looking for is to the left of the larger trail. Although this trail is smaller and easy to miss if you haven’t hiked it before, you will see that significant effort has been made to prepare a really nice path up this hill.
The trail winds up the hill. Going up the hill you will pass other trails that go up the hill more directly. This trail is unique because it makes the summit accessible with less of the steep climbs you would usually find.
At the top of the hill you will see that the trail continues turning to the right or east. That trail is very steep but you can hike down and come back into Moreno Valley on Crystal Hill Drive, then turn right on Kalmia Avenue or Boulder Ridge and make your way back to Palm Middle School.
If you continue going east after the trail levels, you will come back into Moreno Valley on Oliver Street north of Ironwood Avenue. That part of Oliver Street is not open for vehicles but the trail can be accessed.
We like to start our Hike to the Top events from a school or park familiar to our citizens. If you want to do the hike on your own or with a group, a good starting point is the top of Kitching Avenue. You can go north on Perris Boulevard from the 60 freeway, turn right (east) on Kalmia Avenue, then left on Kitching Avenue to the end of the paved road.
Strollers not recommended.
No restrooms available.
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