Doggie Dreamland

Napa Valley
Looking back from the Alston's uphill areas back into the heart of Napa Valley.
User: Austin Explorer - 12/24/2017

Location: Alston Park

Rating: 3stars
Difficulty: 2stars  Solitude: 2stars
Miles Hiked: 3.29 Miles  Elapsed Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Comments:

On this overcast Christmas Eve we avoided the crowded shopping centers and opted instead for a more sedate outing.  Coppertone and I weren't sure of what to expect here.  She had heard good things about it from a coworker and we finally got around to visiting to see for ourselves.

We hiked the trails around the perimeter of the park and other than one or two steep sections found the trails to be very easy going.  There's no shade to be had here, but that certainly was not an issue with the cloud cover today.

We saw a hawk carrying what must have been a snake in its talons onto a power line pole before flying off again with the quarry still in his grip.  Another hawk was perched atop a solitary oak scanning the grassland for prey.

A good portion of the park is designated off-leash and this draws a large number of dog owners here.  It may not be the right place for you if you don't like dogs!  



Log Photos
Trail View
Napa Valley
Heading out
Vineyard
Off-leash Dog Area
Recommended Item
Recommended Item Day Hikes Around Napa Valley
Robert Stone
List Price: $16.95 Your price: $16.95 Buy Now
Day Hikes Around Napa Valley provides the descriptions and directions to access the area's hiking opportunities. Trails can be discovered throughout the valley, across mountain ranges, alongside bays and rivers, and through cool forests. Highlights include steep canyons, secluded redwood forests, the largest freshwater lake in California, a massive petrified forest, rugged rock formations, historical sites, protected wildlife habitats, and expansive ridgetop vistas to the Pacific and San Francisco. A wide range of hikes accommodates amateur to avid hikers, from urban strolls to panoramic peak trails. Also included is comprehensive trail access information for dog owners. A companion guide is Day Hikes Around Sonoma County.