Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

The Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail follows over the former Oat Hill Mine Road. This road was an important means of transportation between the local town of Calistoga and the Oat Hill Mine, the third largest quicksilver or mercury mine. The mine operated from the early 1870's to the late 1960's. Today the road connects Aetna Springs Road and Calistoga. The trail can prove difficult with rocky terrain, but it is open to hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians.

The trailhead for the Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail is on 29 just north of Silverado Trail N. There are only three parking spots, but there is parking available along 29, very close to the trailhead. Starting out, you'll hike around the local vineyards, with a metal fence along your left side. About 0.25 miles along the trail, you'll see your first vista overlook, allowing you to look out upon Napa Valley. About 0.75 miles along the trail, you'll see another vista overlook, with another sweeping view of Napa Valley.

The entire trail is well-maintained and well-marked, with posts marking every mile. From 0.75 miles to 2.33 miles, the trail climbs up to a ridge and then remains relatively even afterward. The Lower Oat Hill Mine Trail ends at about 4.3 miles at Holm's Place, an old homestead property of Karl Gustov Holm who built a log cabin in 1893. Parts of the stone wall from the barn remain in the area. At this point the trail meets with the Palisades Trail and the Upper Oat Hill Mine Trail. The Upper Oat Hill Mine Trail sees seasonal closures. The Palisades Trail goes north to Table Rock.

There is an abundance of flora and fauna in the area, including lizards, salamanders, chipmunks, snakes, mountain lions, oak, douglas fir, gray pine, cypress, chaparral, and grasslands.