Wednesday, November 9, 2016
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This gorgeous ride begins with a quiet run along Dry Creek up to Oakville Grade followed by a steep drop into Napa Valley. It continues NE on Sage Canyon and Chiles Pope Valley to the town of Pope Valley. Head south with a climb up Howell Mountain on Ink Grade Rd before rolling along on White Cottage Rd to Deer Park Rd. Travel through the beautiful Napa Valley on the Silverado Trail and the Vine Trail for the return to Napa.
Begin from the Park & Ride on Solano Ave and head west on Redwood Rd.
Dry Creek Rd runs NW along the residential outskirts of Napa out through the beauitful vineyards along the valley floor for the first 2.5 miles.
The lower section of Dry Creek Rd continues with a couple of rolling climbs through a scattering of country homes nestled in the woods. As you near the top, watch for the T-Rex and other dinosaurs roaming the woodlands.
Dry Creek Rd drops down into the canyon on rolling terrain along Dry Creek. It continues through a small ranching community set alongside dense forest greens before coming to a junction at Oakville Grade.
Turn right and head east on Oakville Grade, the road takes you up 1.3 miles to the summit at 937 feet with 7-9% grades.
Oakville Grade sweeps down into the beautiful Napa Valley with a steep 16% grade followed by a flat straight shot towards Hwy 29.
Head north on Hwy 29 along the gorgeous estate wineries and vineyards around Napa Valley.
Hwy 128 E/Rutherford Rd cuts across the valley floor to Silverado Trail.
Turn right on Silverado Trail followed by an immediate left to stay on CA-128 E/Sage Canyon Rd.
The rolling terrain goes along the edge of Lake Hennessey towards the boat launch parking lot.
Continue on Sage Canyon Rd/CA-128 E to Chiles Pope Valley Rd junction.
Chiles Pope Valley Rd stretches 12.3 scenic miles from Sage Canyon up through Chiles Pope Valley to Pope Valley. The road runs northward on fairly flat terrain along the east edge of Napa County Regional Park District-Lake Hennessey to Moor Creek Park.
The road tilts up for a gentle climb up to Chiles Mountain through the beautiful canyon along Chiles Creek to Lower Chiles Valley Rd with an average grade of 4%.
Chiles Pope Valley Rd continues up Chiles Mountain for the next 2.4 miles up to a high point at Dalraddy Vineyards.
The road continues through the upper valley vineyards and open meadows along Maxwell Creek.
Chiles Pope Valley Rd climbs up under the shaded woodland before dropping down through the expansive valley vineyards.
The road continues northwest into Pope Valley.
Stop at the Pope Valley Market.
Inside Pope Valley Repair & Towing
Pope Valley Rd takes you along Pope Valley through the scenic vineyards and wineries.
Ink Grade Rd is a fabulous less traveled back road that climbs up towards Howell Mountain on a single lane with literally no traffic. The road starts off with a half mile climb with an average grade of 6.3% and steep pitches of 10-13%; it winds up along the hillside with gorgeous mountain and woodlands vistas.
Ink Grade Rd wiggles up along the ridge for the next 1.1 rolling miles through the woodlands to the narrow switchback over Burton Creek.
The road slightly kicks up again and continues to steadily climb for the next 2.5 miles with an average grade of 5.9%. It winds up long the open hillside vineyards and under the woodlands to the hillside orchard.
The leafy woodlands give way to towering mixed conifers as you continue up the narrow road between the guardrail and mossy rock walls.
Ink Grade Rd levels out as you exit the woods out to a small clearing towards White Cottage Rd.
The turn onto White Cottage Rd has a short 3/10th of a mile pitch before descending Angwin‘s residential neighborhoods out to the estate vineyards near Four Corners.
At Four Corners, hang a right onto Deer Park Rd; this road quickly plunges down Howell Mountain towards Napa Valley to Sanitarium Rd. Sanitarium continues with a downhill run past St Helena Hospital followed by a sharp right turn onto Crystal Springs Rd. Crystal Springs turns northward on a narrow single lane road along Bell Creek.
The road cuts across the creek as it turns west through the flat valley to its end at Silverado Trail.
Turn left and head south on Silverado Trail for the next 13 miles, the flat rolling terrain takes you along the picturesque estate wineries and vineyards around Napa Valley.
Silverado Trail takes you back to St Helena.
Stay on Silverado Trail to Mumm Napa.
Enjoy the spectacular Napa Valley!
Silverado Trail continues to Yountville Cross Rd.
Yountville Cross Rd cuts across the valley into Yountville.
Meander through Yountville and take California St to Solano Ave.
Hop onto the Napa Valley Vine Trail for the return to the Park & Ride lot on Redwood Rd. The Vine Trail runs parallel between Solano Ave and Hwy 29 for 5.9 flat traffic-free miles.
This is a wonderful ride along the quiet country back roads through the magnificent Napa Valley from Dry Creek and Oakville Grade out to Lake Hennessey and Pope Valley. You’ll enjoy the beautiful lake views, gorgeous autumn hues of the vineyards, and the quiet canyon climbs up to Chiles Mountain and Howell Mountain!
Garmin Stats:
70.5 Miles with 3976′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 1825′
Max grade: 14%
Terrain: Moderately hilly with a few steep climbs
Weather: Sunny and warm. Temps ranged from the low 50’s to the high 70’s with NW winds.
View the interactive RGPS route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
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