Hikes to the Top
Hidden Springs
We meet in the parking lot of Hidden Springs Elementary School then walk north using the crosswalk by Greenridge to cross Hidden Springs, then walk north to the beginning of the trail; turn right from Hidden Springs Boulevard. The first part of the hike is slightly downhill as we follow the creek through the Hidden Springs neighborhood. This area is unique because instead of the water drainage from the neighborhood and the surrounding hills going into a concrete flood channel, it goes into the Pigeon Pass Creek which has been preserved. The area around the creek is called the "arroyo" and is a wonderful asset. The trail will take us to the Old Lake/Hidden Springs and Pigeon Pass intersection.
Once we cross Hidden Springs, we take a trail into Box Springs County Park; the park that encompasses Box Springs Mountain. In addition to the developed area we hike through, the park has trail access in Riverside at the end of Blaine Avenue. Turn left at the first fork in the trail, then turn left on either of the trails that cross the trail. The second trail is part of a cross country course. Both trails meet near Pigeon Pass Road. The trail runs parallel to Pigeon Pass Road before going west past the caretaker's residence and the Old Adobe.
Adjacent to the caretaker's residence is a restroom, water faucet, picnic tables and grass, parking, and drinking troughs for horses. This is also where you can find the trail to the top of Box Springs Mountain. We will take the trail to the right that stays at the base of the mountain, a less challenging climb. As the trail turns to the north, we will go down to a fork in the trail. We will take the trail on the left. There is a hill preceded by trails that go towards the neighborhoods and the arroyo which crosses Hidden Springs Boulevard and comes west to the end of the homes in this area. There is also a trail that goes to the top of the hill and one that goes around the hill. They will meet on the other side of the hill. We will climb the hill because the view from the top is worth the effort and the top of the hill is a great place to rest.
The descent from the top of the hill is the most difficult part of the hike because it is steep. The trail continues north with the mountains to the left and a view of the homes to the right. As we pass the last tract of homes the trails forks again. We will go to the left but we are now walking around the perimeter of the area in front of us. The trail will take you along the edge of the mountain. The trail ends as we arrive at a water tower with a paved access that turns into gravel as it goes back into Moreno Valley. There is a trail on the other side of the gravel road that we will take to the cluster of Eucalyptus trees. There are trails that go into the Eucalyptus grove but we will stay on the one just beyond the gravel road. Take the trail to the right, then do a short detour through the grove before coming out on Greenridge Drive and down to the school.
Although we meet at Hidden Springs Elementary School, there are a couple access points, all of them closer to the rest of Moreno Valley. You could access this trail from Vista Heights Middle School on the corner of Old Lake Road and Pigeon Pass Road. You can park in the parking lot on weekends or evenings.
You could access this trail from Box Springs County Park. Turn left from Pigeon Pass onto Hidden Springs/Old Lake then turn left into Box Springs Park. It is open dawn to dusk everyday and there are restroom facilities.
This hike is unique in that most of the hikes have a destination and then we come back on the same trail, usually coming back down the hill. This hike is a loop with no really significant climbs. The last part of the hike has rolling hills that would be very challenging for a baby stroller.
Hidden Springs; the name of the hike, the school, the street which encircles the neighborhood and the neighborhood, refers to springs of water that come out of Box Springs Mountain. We don't actually see a hidden spring but old water pipes that brought water from the springs to the area's early residents are visible on the hike. This is a great hike for seeing wildlife. We usually see wild burros on the upper part of the hike; and a lot of rabbits, squirrels and birds in the arroyo; coyotes can be anywhere.
The hike is longer than 3.3 miles, closer to 6 miles.
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