Name: Oat Mine Road Towards Etna Springs 9 to 14 miles, Moderate to Strenuous
Start: 2022-11-19T08:00:00-08:00
End: 2022-11-19T15:00:00-08:00

The hike is out and back so you can hike less or more depending on your schedule and comfort level. Once we get to Holmes place after 4.5 miles of hiking it is mostly flat the rest of the way.

The start time is 8 am due to a small parking lot. We will follow the Oat mine trail up hill to Holm's place and then beyond. This is an out and back hike so you can hike a total of 9 miles or up to 14. I want to do the whole distance. WE can enjoy the beauty of the Palisades without the danger of steep cliffs.
Step back into history for a day! The hike is an old mining road between the town of Calistoga and Pope Valley. It was used by freight wagons hauling quicksilver from the mines to the railroad in Calistoga. Grooves in the rock-bed from the wagon wheels are visible! It is a rocky, rutted road that "rigorously" climbs from 400 to 2300 feet to the old Karl Holm Homestead in a shaded oak and bay laurel forest at first and then you come out into the open completely surrounded by rock. For this trip we are headed on to Aetna springs after we hit Holmes Place for another hour!! We plan to be off the trail by 1....just in time for lunch!! Bring plenty of water and a snack as we will stop at Holmes Place on our way back for about 10 minutes. MAKE SURE YOUR DOG CAN DO THE MILEAGE!!

Overall, it is about 9 to 14 miles round-trip, with roughly 1,900 feet of elevation gain. You can hike 6 miles, 9 or up to 14 miles. It is out and back so you can turn around at anytime. I recommend making it at least to Holms place which is 4.5 miles in. I have hiked up 6 miles myself before and turned around. After Holm place it is mostly flat but going up to Holm place is all uphill with switch backs and a moderate grade.
It is quite awkward and rugged walking when you get close to the top. Count on a workout, it's long enough and rough enough at the top that it might not be considered fun if you aren't ready work those muscles! At the homestead there are still remnants of two stone houses and a small apple orchard. This is a really intriguing trail and something that you should at least experience once...history combined with a scenic back-country road that has great views of The Palisades and upper Napa Valley.

As always...we take our time and remember...it's about the journey NOT the destination!

A great spot for maps and info can be found at the following:

http://napaoutdoors.org/parks-trails/oat-hill-mine-trail/

Getting There:

Directions:

From Highway 29/Lincoln Ave in downtown Calistoga, drive one mile northeast on Lincoln Ave (Hwy 29) through town to Silverado Trail. The trailhead is right across the intersection, but parking is very tight there... and further, as we are generally a huge pack, please do not park right there, but rather, park in the area diagonally across the road from the trail head (between Lake St and Lincoln).

By signing up for this hike, you agree to the following:
I recognize that there are risks associated with participating in group hikes. I assume full responsibility for personal injury to myself and family members. I agree to indemnify and release from liability the leaders of this group against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney fees which may arise.

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Oat Mine Road Towards Etna Springs 9 to 14 miles, Moderate to Strenuous

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Oat Mine Road Towards Etna Springs 9 to 14 miles, Moderate to Strenuous

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