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Historical Riverside The Riversider | October/November 2021
From the Mists of Time: The History of Mount Rubidoux Native legend and Miller myth-making merge on the mountain WORDS: H. VINCENT MOSES, PHD
Mount Rubidoux , standing proud at the western edge of Riverside’s downtown, is undoubtedly the most popular hiking site in the city. The summit rises 1,331 feet with an elevation gain of 500 feet, providing ample steps to a strong heart. Made famous as a singular prominence of myth and legend, the Mountain is second only to the famous Raincross emblem as Riverside’s symbol. The ancient and the modern merge on its slopes and its summit to create the ideal place for sacred ceremonies and myth making, elevating the status of Riverside and its world-famous Mission Inn. It’s easy to understand why the Mountain took on such standing to the city. Indigenous peoples around the world, since the dawn of human consciousness have recognized certain sites as imbued with spiritual significance. Climb Riverside’s popular high, detached hill one crisp dawn and find yourself in contact with one of those special sites. In that morning air, if you’re open to it, the ancientness and serenity of Mount Rubidoux will fill you with a sense of respect for this special place.
The Riversider Magazine
