Mount St. Helena and Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
The tallest mountain in California's wine country is Mount St. Helena, located just north of Calistoga. The 4,342-foot peak affords amazing 360-degree views and is, luckily for us, accessible via a very runnable 10-mile round trip trail.
The trail starts in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, located on Highway 29 about 7 miles north of Calistoga. Note that the small parking area is very easy to miss. As you are heading north from Calistoga, the parking area will be on your right. If you start descending on Highway 29, you have passed the park.
The first 0.8 miles of the trail is rugged singletrack that climbs through forest. The remainder of the trail to the summit is a gradual climb along a dirt road. This portion of the trail is sunny and exposed. The summit is, unfortunately, home to a large radio tower; however, the views along the road and from the summit make this a must-do run if you are in the area.
One word of caution: It can get flaming hot here in the summer! Most of the trail is exposed, and there is no water along the way. If you want to attempt this run in the summer, go early in the morning and bring along extra water.
The Dirt:
The trail starts in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, located on Highway 29 about 7 miles north of Calistoga. Note that the small parking area is very easy to miss. As you are heading north from Calistoga, the parking area will be on your right. If you start descending on Highway 29, you have passed the park.
The first 0.8 miles of the trail is rugged singletrack that climbs through forest. The remainder of the trail to the summit is a gradual climb along a dirt road. This portion of the trail is sunny and exposed. The summit is, unfortunately, home to a large radio tower; however, the views along the road and from the summit make this a must-do run if you are in the area.
One word of caution: It can get flaming hot here in the summer! Most of the trail is exposed, and there is no water along the way. If you want to attempt this run in the summer, go early in the morning and bring along extra water.
The Dirt:
- Click here for a (poor) map of the trail to Mount St. Helena
- Click here for directions to the park via Google Maps.
- There is no drinking water available in the park or along the trail to Mount St. Helena.
Favorite Run #1: The Summit Trail (10.0 mi, ~2200 feet elevation gain)
This is the up-and-back run to the summit of Mount St. Helena. There are no good trail maps available (that I have found), but luckily the trails are very well marked and no trail map is required. To begin the run, cross over Highway 29 from the parking area and start up the well-marked trail to Mount St. Helena summit.
- 0.0 mi: Start up the singletrack trail to the summit.
- 0.8 mi: After the steep, washed-out portion, the trail ends on a wide dirt road. Turn left and head toward the summit.
- 3.5 mi: Intersection with the trail to South Peak (to your left). Keep right to head toward the summit.
- 5.0 mi: At the summit! Enjoy the views and then retrace your steps back to the car.
- 10.0 mi: Back at your car! Time to drink some wine...
