Mapping north segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail

Hi there
We got a kick out of the painted dog looking out of a Dutch door.
User: Austin Explorer - 3/15/2021

Location: Napa Valley Vine Trail

Rating: 2stars
Difficulty: 1star  Solitude: 2stars
Miles Hiked: 5.43 Miles  Elapsed Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Comments:

Since it has just rained earlier in the weekend we wanted to avoid any trails that might end up in a muddy quagmire.  We had hiked another portion of this trail before and figured it was time to repay it a visit to what it was like elsewhere.  We parked on the street right off of Vallejo, very close to the spot where the trail picks up.

The trail north of the center of Napa is mostly straight as an arrow.  Just starting off from Vallejo the trail follows the rail right of way through the back of numerous businesses, some still in extistence and some not.  A few of the places seemed ideal for loading and offloading directly from railcars that used to pass through.

Yes, this is an industrial area and thus is far from scenic in a tradtional hiking sense.  Still, the first half mile plus from Vallejo is interesting due to a number of murals and art installations along the way.  They add a bit of color, literally and figuratively, to the hike and gives the visitors something to comment on along the way.

When the trail crosses Lincoln the area turns residential.  In this case that's unfortunate since it means an end to the art that had accompanied us this far.  One thing that does not change is the straight paved path.

When the trail nears Redwood it snakes away from the rail line for a moment and dumps the walker onto Solano Ave.  Once you cross Redwood on Solano the trail will once again abut the rails.  We're not sure why the trail couldn't follow the line more closely leading up to Redwood, but nearby fencing with "private property" signs seems to indicate a land dispute.

The trail then parallels both Solano Ave and the traintracks and continues to do so for some miles ahead.  With the clouds getting darker and rain visible in the distance we decided to turnaround at Trower Avenue and double back to our trailhead.



Log Photos
Trail Train Mural
Imaginative
Utility sheds
Movable artwork
Hi there
Industrial area
Neighborhood paths
Oak Knoll Section
Rails and trail
Recommended Item
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Robert Stone
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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.