Mount Saint Helena
On Super bowl Sunday, Feb 1, 2009, Chelsea and I rode bicycles to the top of Mount St. Helena, between Calistoga and Middletown. It is in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. I read elsewhere online that bikes are not permitted, but I called the Parks Dept. They absolutely ARE permitted.
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Mount Saint Helena |
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The service gate going to the top, about 200 yds down the east side of hill from the parking area for hikers. Very easy to find and plenty of parking here. |
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From the highest peak overlooking the one in the middle. Lake Berryesa in the background. |
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San Francisco in the distance. The Bay Bridge to the left. Roughly 60 miles south. Taken with my trusty pocket-sized Panasonic Lumix with 10X Optical Zoom. |
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Straight west, the Pacific ocean. |
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Chels and I, taken by one of the guys working up there. |
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The grade at the top, a bit steeper than the rest of the climb. Overlooking the south peak. |
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This is the last 300 yds or so from the top. This is picture of us coming down the hill, but it is a bear going up. It is a bit steeper than the rest of the ride. I walked this part (going up) but Chels barreled up.
BTW: It took us about 20 minutes to get down. 1 hr 45 min up. |
