Table Rock/Palisades: 11m/3500 Ft/Very Strenuous

DIFFICULTY: Very Strenuous.
DISTANCE: 11 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 3500 feet
PACE: Probably around 30 minute miles.
WEATHER: Calistoga, CA 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground - rain forecast will mean postponement due to muddy conditions on this route – I will update 48 hours before.

Join us for a challenging one-way hike through the spectacular landscape of Palisades and Table Rock!

This is a unique area with spectacular views. The rugged Palisades are precipitous volcanic cliffs that stretch southeast from Mount St. Helena. The trail includes varied forests, a garden of lava rock, a meditation circle, and a climb through volcanic cliffs. And if you like rock climbing you will love this hike due to lots of rocks and scrambling. No Ropes required!

This is a one way hike. We will meet at the top and car shuttle down to the trailhead.

Warning: this hike is steep and rugged and can be treacherous. It is not recommended for anyone with any type of injury that could be aggravated by hiking, or anyone that is not an experienced hiker. While the trail is beautiful it is steep, slippery, narrow and at times hard to follow.

This will be a joint event with the Sea and Mountain hiking group so we're limiting it to ten attendees this time around.

MORE INFO:
Palisades Trail : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

DETAILS

• MEETING TIME: 7:30 AM, since parking is limited and this small lot fills up fast on weekends. We will depart at 7:40.
• MEETING SPOT: We will meet at the parking lot at Robert Louis Stevenson (also the trailhead for Mount St. Helena). From Calistoga take Hwy 29 and take the winding mountain road up to the top and the Robert Louis Stevenson parking lot. Park there. If the lot is full there are some limited pull out spots along the side of the road.
  From here, we will consolidate into as few cars as possible and drive down to the start of the trail.
• RESTROOMS: None on this route, please plan accordingly.
• GEAR: Bring plenty of water and snacks. Dress in layers - we'll probably have AM fog but much of this route is exposed to the sun. Poles are highly recommended.