Oat Hill Mine Trail

I have hiked Oat Hill Mine Trail numerous times in the past few years because it is in rugged terrain, climbs about 2,000 feet to the crest, and is lightly traveled in its higher reaches. This trail actually used to be a stage coach road leading from Calistoga to the old Aetna Springs Resort. It later became a popular jeep trail until it was closed to vehicles in the 1970's due to some deadly crashes involving vehicles tumbling down the mountainside.

Today, most of the old road is a single track trail which looks like a riverbed in some stretches. The volcanic rocks of the mountain force you to watch most every step - this is not a soft, duff covered stroll! At the crest, one can take the Palisades Trail northward to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park on Mount St. Helena, or continue over the crest and down to Aetna Springs. The following photos will give you an idea of the terrain and the views from this Napa County treasure. In the near future, I will do a little blog on the wildflowers of Oathill Mine Trail, after I figure out what some of them are.

Looking up at the Palisades from about halfway to the crest. Mt. St. Helena is on the left.

Wagon wheel ruts carved into the rock from the stagecoach days.

A shallow cave at the base of the cliffs.

Standing on the "trail" looking westward to the other side of the Napa Valley.

Near the crest is this old sign with the words "Oat Hill Wagon Road" welded on.

Another view of the volcanic Palisdes.

The view from the other side of the crest looking eastward towards Pope Valley and beyond.

Andria, Nick, and I take a break on the trail. We must have just eaten our lunch judging by the contented looks.

This truck must have tumbled at least 100 yards down the mountain from the base of the rock cliff near the top of the picture.

Two vultures waiting for the warm updrafts to begin (or maybe for something to die in Calistoga, below).

Looking down on the vineyards of Napa Valley.

Nick and Andria on the Palisades version of Stonehenge.