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Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
3801 St. Helena Hwy
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4575
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4575
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
the hike up to the top of mount st. helena in robert louis stevenson state park is my way of feeling i have earned all the wine and food i'll be eating on my visit to calistoga. each time you round a bend on the road up to the top you will be offered some of the best views of any hike in northern california. since most of this hike is on a fire road i'm giving it four stars.
fire road or not i will do this hike again as i could not get enough of the views and i recommend others to do so too. the drive up hwy 29 to the trailhead takes you about halfway up the 4343 ft tall peak. the elevation gain for this hike is about 2000 feet, but it doesn't feel bad since there are plenty of switchbacks on the .8 mile trail that leads to the fire road that will take you the rest of the way to the top. along the way up you will be climbing through chaparral, brush and some impressive rock outcroppings. i didn't take along a gps to measure distance, but depending on what you read the one way distance to the top is about 5.2 miles or so. It took us an hour and 45 minutes to top out.
from the valley and all the vineyards just below your feet to the pacific ocean, mt tamalpais, lake berryessa, mt diablo, the snow covered sierras, are some of what you will be eyeing on the way up and once at the top. we could even see the san francisco skyline on the way up. i have read on a very clear day one can see mt shasta a 192 miles distant, not too sure but you do feel high enough.
a great hike for views!
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A nice, quiet, fairly easy hike right off Rt. 29. It's a little tricky finding the place as it's truly right off the road, and the road winds a lot with cars whizzing by. Once you park, though, the trail begins right there -- no admission fee. There's a short one to the left and a longer one which we did about 2/3 of to the right. We came across maybe only 4 or 5 other parties during our walk. The first part is cool and shaded under canopies of trees and greenery. I was stoked to see butterflies. The second part starts when you hit the fire trail and come out from the trees. You start seeing fantastic views of expansive vistas. We went a little ways and turned around, our curiosity satisfied, but I'm sure there'd be even more great views from the top. All in all, a nice relaxing walk.
Oh, there are lots of switchbacks and a few loose, gravelly places so definitely have at least sneakers if not hiking boots. And don't ignore the precautions like I did - wear insect repellent and long sleeves, etc. I got bitten by something and there apparently are Lyme disease ticks in the area, as with many of the N. CA parks. If it turns out I have Lyme disease, I'll be sure to review my treatment... ;-)
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