Hike Mount Saint Helena

Kevin Calhoun

Hike Mount Saint Helena

08/23/19

While this trail may not be for someone looking for a forest hike, this offers a beauty of its own. St Helena is brutally exposed just about the entire time, and can get scorching hot, yet catch this trail during the winter and youll need some crampons to not be slipping and sliding everywhere. The nice wide trail offers easy passing by other hikers, there are generally some climbers on what is apparently called “The Bubble”, which I always find quite fascinating. The peak, although a bit distracting by the towers, offers gorgeous views on most days. However, as described, it gets windy, so be prepared that although you will warm up on the hike up, while relaxing at the summit you may find yourself a bit chilly

5.0

Joe Pearman

Hike Mount Saint Helena

06/18/19

This is a great little half day hike. I'd recommend getting a good early start on the trail if you want to beat the heat and get a good parking spot. Starting off, you get some beautiful single track switch-back trail under a lovely canopy. This takes you up to a peaceful little clearing that marks the spot of Robert Louis Stevenson's honeymoon cabin. Great spot to stop for a quick breather and to take in a little serenity. After that, it's about half a mile until you hit the fire road up to the peak. While the trail itself isn't especially interesting, the views all the way up are breathtaking. If you're vertically inclined, there's a pretty great sport climbing route about a mile from the junction of the trail and the fire road. As you make your final approach to the summit, you get that wonderful alien feeling of being at high altitude. The trees become sparce ragged, all the stones are weathered by the constant wind, you feel out of place. Just what you want from a good summit run. My only real complaint is having to share the summit with communication antennas. Really kind of ruins the feeling of isolation. But, hey, we need our internet I suppose. Despite the rather unsightly constructs, the view of Napa Valley is a hell of a pay off. We were able to see all the way out to the Pacific and get a great overhead of all the vineyards. I'd highly recommend packing a sturdy windbreaker as we were getting blown all over the place once we got above the tree line and go heavy on the water. You're going to be working and there's no refill points. Amazing hike that I would be happy to do again.

4.0

Explorer

Rachel Davidson

Explorer

Hike Mount Saint Helena

12/27/16

Unfortunately, I found that this hike wasn't all it's cracked up to be. I made the long drive from SF and was disappointed by the crowds, "trail," and not-so-challenging grade up. Save yourself some time and gas $$ by hiking up Mt. Diablo instead.

2.0