Hike Mount Saint Helena

Drive north from Napa following Rt 29, through Calistoga and up into the forest. After passing the sign for Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, and just over the crest, there is a parking area on the right side of the road, opposite the trailhead on the left. Parking fills up by mid-morning so get there early (and beat the heat!) If you're biking up, continue a short way down the hill to the next parking area which will start you at the base of the fire road.

The first mile is along a pleasant wooded switchback path to the site of a cabin where Robert Louis Stevenson spent a summer with his wife. The cabin is gone but a lovely clearing remains. Continue on the trail to the right up to the fire access road. You can't get lost from there - just follow the road the whole way up. You will go through some major switchbacks during the steady 4-mile uphill hike. It can be rather unpleasant in the heat of the day, so start early or bring a friend to draw your mind off the slog.

At one of the major switchbacks you'll notice a bolted crag in front of you called "The Bubble." A lot of climbing there and wrapping around to the side.

After 4 miles you'll come to the summit saddle and a leg of the road will peel back to the South Peak. Don't take it and keep following the road straight, heading for the peak behind the bubble-top communications tower. The road ends at the north peak, amid more towers but with awesome views of the valley. Give yourself some time to relax and take it in. You can see the geothermal power plant and the extents of the Lake County Fire, as well as numerous peaks and lakes.

Head back the way you came.