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A sloping trail winding over sweeping vistas of vineyards dotting the verdant Napa Valley.


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Map Key

4.4

Miles

7.1

KM

83%

Runnable

2,301' 701 m

High

397' 121 m

Low

1,904' 580 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Respect private property. No hunting or shooting is allowed in Robert Lewis Stevenson State Park, or on, from, or over the Oat Hill Mine Trail. Dogs must be under voice control at all times or else must be on leash. Dogs must be kept on or within 20 feet of the trail. Motor vehicles are not allowed. No fires and smoking.

Runner Notes

Wide trails and some spots with scrambling. Watch out for mountain bikers.

Description

The Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail follows over the former Oat Hill Mine Road. This road was an important means of transportation between the local town of Calistoga and the Oat Hill Mine, the third largest quicksilver or mercury mine. The mine operated from the early 1870's to the late 1960's. Today the road connects Aetna Springs Road and Calistoga. The trail can prove difficult with rocky terrain, but it is open to runners, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians.

The trailhead for the Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail is on 29 just north of Silverado Trail N. There are only three parking spots, but there is parking available along 29, very close to the trailhead. Starting out, you'll run around the local vineyards, with a metal fence along your left side. About 0.25 miles along the trail, you'll see your first vista overlook, allowing you to look out upon Napa Valley. About 0.75 miles along the trail, you'll see another vista overlook, with another sweeping view of Napa Valley.

The entire trail is well-maintained and well-marked, with posts marking every mile. From 0.75 miles to 2.33 miles, the trail climbs up to a ridge and then remains relatively even afterward. The Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail ends at about 4.3 miles at Holm's Place, an old homestead property of Karl Gustov Holm who built a log cabin in 1893. Parts of the stone wall from the barn remain in the area. At this point the trail meets with the Palisades Trail and the Upper Oat Hill Mine Trail. The Upper Oat Hill Mine Trail sees seasonal closures. The Palisades Trail goes north to Table Rock.

Flora & Fauna

There is an abundance of flora and fauna in the area, including lizards, salamanders, chipmunks, snakes, mountain lions, oak, douglas fir, gray pine, cypress, chaparral, and grasslands.

Contacts

Shared By:

Danielle Jackson

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 7 votes

#10096

Overall
  4.1 from 7 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#926

in California

#10,096

Overall
14 Views Last Month
1,865 Since Jun 3, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
71%
14%
14%
0%

Photos

Enjoy a sweeping vista of Napa Valley from the Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail.
Jun 4, 2017 near Calistoga, CA
Near the top of lower Oat Hill Mine trail.
Aug 22, 2021 near Calistoga, CA
View after about 15 minutes up from trailhead.
Jul 19, 2018 near Calistoga, CA
Former site of Holm's Place
Mar 14, 2018 near Calistoga, CA
View after about 40 minutes up from trailhead.
Jul 19, 2018 near Calistoga, CA
Looking up Oat Hill Mine Trail
Jul 19, 2018 near Calistoga, CA

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 35 days ago
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