18 Bay Area Hikers summited one of the tallest peak in the Bay Area, Mt. St. Helena today! In total 11.1 miles where hiked and gained 2464 in elevation. See map below.
On the drive in the hot air balloons were up in the clear sky. It was a good omen to hike. When I arrived at 815 the parking lot across from the trail head was filling up. It was 845am and it was a crisp day at first but when we started up the trail many hikers were striping off their layers after the first mile. We passed the Robert Lewis Stevenson memorial before we hit the access road and then up, we went.
Up the road to the top, we went taking pictures along the way and the sun was out and it was getting warm. We passed Bubble Rock, but it was early and there were no climbers on it just yet. Then we came to the first decision of the day.
The plan was to hit all four peaks of Mt. St. Helena. It was an optional way to gain miles and elevation, some did take me up on the challenge. Part of the group continued on the access road while we went up the first peak on the right. It is not named but the elevation of the peak was 4000. It is an unmaintained fire break that is plowed.
We reconnected with the group and headed up to the top of St. Helena!
We hit the summit of St. Helena 4328 at about 1145am. At the top we met a few other hikers that started out earlier than the main group and we arrived 5 minutes after they summitted. Many congratulations and pictures were taken along with a well deserved 30 minute break. The views were hazy and you could only see Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tam, and barely see the Sierras. You could not see San Francisco because of the low clouds.
After our rest we took off back down to another decision point. The group could split off to summit a 3rd peak or continue on the access road back down. We split up and summitted the next peak where KGO radio has a broadcast tower and there is a radar station. This peak’s elevation was about 4200.
Then back down to the access road and again we connected with the rest of the group and headed again to another decision. Again the group split and some continued down the access road while we summitted the 4thpeak of the day. Again, it is unnamed, but KBBF has a radio tower there and it was about 4003 in elevation.
We then all descended back down the access road and as we were passing Bubble rock the climbers had made it there and people were also climbing The Bear.
We finished out hike at about 1:15pm. I also observe throughout our hike the dryness of the hike. There were few flowers and the brush was very dry. Unlike last year at this time the hillsides were lush with greenery and flowers.
It was a great day to be out on Mt. St. Helena and thanks to all who came! Please follow me on my Facebook page Jason’s Hiking Adventures, Instagram @jasonshikingadventures, and All Trails. I also have many other hikes planned so check out the events tab on Bay Area Hikers and come join the fun!
Todays All Trails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/…/mount-saint-helena-trail…
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