Secretary Haaland Visits Molok

Secretary Haaland Visits Molok

Congressman Mike Thompson, Secretary Deb Haaland, BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, Sandra Schubert, Congressman John Garamendi on Molok Luyuk

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Walters Hill Trail

Napa County

Photo by Nate Lillge

Oversight information

  • This trail is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ukiah Office.
  • Camping is permitted along the trail.
  • Campfires require a valid fire permit from the BLM.

For the most current information on the trail's condition, closures, and fire restrictions contact the BLM.

How to Get There

First you'll need to get to the Pope-to-Putah Trail.  You will need to get the Pope Canyon Road from wherever you are. Sage Canyon Road (128) to Chiles Pope Valley will get you there. Or follow Highway 128 to  Berryessa/Knoxville Road to the large Pope Creek Bridge.  Look for the small Pope Creek Bridge; you can access the Pope-to-Putah trail from there. If you cross the road to the guard rail/gate you will see an asphalt road. Follow the old asphalt road until it reaches a dirt ranch road. Turn right onto the road and follow it for about 0.2 miles (it will turn twice while you’re walking it). Look for the trailhead marker right after a 10 MPH sign. Go left and start climbing up the incline.

Continue on this trail for about 2 miles, and you'll come to a green sign that reads: Bam Bam Trail to Walter Hill .75.  Follow the arrow on the sign to start the loop.

The Hike Itself

The Walters Hill Trail is an extension of the Pope-to-Putah Trail.  Named after Charles Walters, one of the prominent land owners and founders of St. Helena in Napa County, this out-and-back extension is about 3/4-mile long (one way) and provides hikers with access to two peaks from where you can see a vista view of Mt. St.Helena, the Blue Ridge, Mt. Konocti, the Palisades, Chiles Valley, Pope Valley, Spanish Valley, and Lake Berryessa.  In the spring, this area is colored by wildflowers, and you may also see the colorful caterpillars of the Indra Swallowtail Butterfly.

Parts of the Pope-to-Putah Trail have a very steep grade so caution is necessary (especially during the rainy season).  Please stay on the trail and do NOT cut switchbacks.  Cutting switchbacks leads to rapid erosion of the trail which then ruins the trail-experience for other users.  As always, pack out whatever you bring in.

Mileage

To get to the Walters Hill loop you have to hike up the Pope-to-Putah Trail for 1.5 miles, then the loop itself is another  .75 miles.  Round trip: 4.5 miles.

Availability

  • Fitness: moderate
  • Visible Signage:
  • Parking:
  • Horses:
  • Pets:
  • Restrooms:
  • Mountain Biking:
  • Overnight Camping:

Additional Resources