Bothe Napa Valley Hike | 5.5 miles

Please be in good enough shape to hike at a moderate/fast steady pace (+/-2.5 mph) and comfortable with elevation changes.

Distance: +/- 5.5 miles total

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is an excellent destination for nature lovers and hikers of all levels, providing a peaceful escape in the heart of wine country. The park features over 10 miles of trails through ecosystems including ancient coastal redwoods, tanoak, Douglas-fir, and madrone forests, along with lush riparian zones along Ritchey Canyon. These varied landscapes provide a rich habitat for wildlife and a beautiful setting for hiking.

The hike: I've had multiple requests to hike at Bothe, so here we are. Excited to be venturing into Napa Valley. Trails we'll be hiking: Redwood, Ritchey Creek, Spring, South Fork, Coyote Peak and returning on Redwood. The moderately strenuous Coyote Peak Trail is the most popular, climbing 1.5 miles to the 1,170-foot peak for scenic vistas of the valley and hills, Mount Saint Helena, and Upper Ritchey Canyon.

Parking: Free with CA state park pass OR $10

Where to Meet: After entering the park head towards the pool, there is a parking area on the right

Restroom: Near the parking area

What to bring: Snack, water, hat, good hiking shoes, a joyful spirit and laughter. Please dress appropriately for the weather that day. Layers of clothing are always advisable.
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Reminders:
Mindful hikes are intended to be a way to connect more fully with ourselves, each other and with the land. There will be two periods of silent walking throughout the hike to allow the senses to be fully alive and felt. There will also be time during the hike to visit and connect with each other. These times of talking and connecting are an invitation to bring mindfulness to the present moment.

It's a time to put away the cell phone and cameras to disengage from technology to be fully present with each other, our senses and the land we are inhabiting.
If you're on the waitlist for the hike and want to attend please message Vickie a few days before the scheduled hike. Most hikes have people drop off at the last minute and it's possible there is an opening.

Dāna
In the spirit of the Buddhist tradition mindful hikes are offered as a dāna based event. Rick Hansen says “generosity is a beautiful practice that opens and gladdens the heart, relaxes the contraction of ‘self’ and ripples out into the world to touch many people.” The dāna practice is heart centered and in the spirit of generosity. Venmo or cash is graciously accepted. Venmo account is: @vickieix8; last four digits 4714 of my phone # if asked.

No-Show Policy: Please cancel at least 24 hours before the start of the hike. Be mindful that there may be a waitlist. If your plans change and you're not coming, opening up a spot 4-5 days before the hike it's more likely someone will be able to attend than if you cancel at the last minute. You're considered a no-show if you cancel at the last minute. Members with 2 no-shows will be removed from the group.