Tag: Calistoga

Trouble in Napa’s Palisades on the Ridge Trail

The Bay Area Ridge Trail at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park traverses rugged volcanic terrain as it travels southeast from the Mount St. Helena Trailhead across the Table Rock, Palisades and Lower Oat Mine trails. Table Rock includes a pair of natural amphitheaters and a manmade labyrinth. The Palisades Trail runs along the edge of a ridgeline with an often steep slope to one side. From there, the rocky Lower Oat Mine Trail plunges downhill to the edge of Calistoga. This is a difficult trail. Only one of us completed it.

We are hiking the 400-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail. Sign up to follow our progress here.

Continue reading “Trouble in Napa’s Palisades on the Ridge Trail” →

Dan and Dawn1 Comment

Napa with a View Atop Mount Saint Helena on the Ridge Trail

The hike up Mount Saint Helena on the Bay Area Ridge Trail begins with a mile-long ascent on shaded, sometimes rocky switchbacks at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. The single-track trail connects to a broad fire road that winds the last four miles through the slowly healing burn scar left by the 2017 Tubbs Fire. The views of Northern California wine country from the 4,342-foot volcanic summit are magnificent. This hike marks the northern-most point of the Ridge Trail.

We are hiking the 400-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail. Sign up to follow our progress here.

Continue reading “Napa with a View Atop Mount Saint Helena on the Ridge Trail” →

Dan and DawnLeave a comment

Yes, There’s Plenty to Do in Napa in the Rain with a Head Cold; Wine Helps

“It’s spring. Let’s go to Napa!” we said. “Let’s taste some wine, take a hike, pack a picnic, book a balloon flight! It’ll be great!”

But GeekSlacker caught a nasty cold. And then it began to rain – again. And the deadline for canceling our reservation at the charming El Bonita Motel in St. Helena had passed. What were two Coastside Slackers to do? Particularly with a blog to feed. Continue reading “Yes, There’s Plenty to Do in Napa in the Rain with a Head Cold; Wine Helps” →

Thedpages4 Comments