Mount Saint Helena

Mount Saint Helena is a volcanic peak in the Mayacamas Mountains of northern California with an elevation of 4,343 ft (1,324 m). It sits near the intersection of Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties and is a prominent landmark above Napa Valley.

Hikers use several trails that climb from the surrounding valleys to reach the summit and ridge. The summit area gives panoramic views over Napa Valley and the surrounding Mayacamas ridgeline, and southern slopes contain trailheads and picnic areas maintained by a state park.

The peak is part of the volcanic Mayacamas complex. The writer Robert Louis Stevenson stayed on Mount Saint Helena in 1880 and later wrote about his time there; the state park on the mountain is named after him.

Mount Saint Helena lies near the town of Calistoga in Napa Valley, about an hour to the north of the San Francisco Bay Area on clear-traffic days. The terrain around it is wooded upper slopes giving way to chaparral and oak lower down.

• Best views: Summit visibility is best on clear days when you can see across Napa Valley and to distant peaks; mornings often have coastal fog while afternoons clear.
• Seasonal conditions: Trails are seasonal and muddy in winter; springs bring wildflowers on lower slopes.

What to See#

• Summit: Summit area at 4,343 ft (1,324 m) offers wide views across Napa Valley, Sonoma County and surrounding Mayacamas ridges.
• Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: State park on the southern slopes that contains trailheads and picnic areas; main access for hikers approaching the summit from the Napa side.

• Best time is early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and the clearest summit views across Napa and Sonoma.
• Access the mountain via Robert Louis Stevenson State Park - use the park's trailheads on the St. Helena/Calistoga side as the usual starting points and expect a steady, multi-hour hike to the summit.
• Plan for a summit visit on a clear day: visibility can be extensive (Napa Valley, Sonoma hills, and distant peaks), so allow extra time for photography and return before afternoon winds pick up.