Pope Canyon Trail

Pope Canyon Road and Knoxville Road
Napa, California
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This scenic trail follows the original Pope Canyon Road roadbed for about 1 1/2 miles until the roadbed disappears into the lake. The trailhead is 2.1 miles west along Pope Canyon Road from the Knoxville Road intersection. Look for a sturdy brown and yellow stripped gate on the south side of the road. Small hiker signs on a post and on the gate announce the trailhead.

From the gate, the trail heads down and to the left and then follows the old road towards the main lake. Below the trail is first Pope Creek and further along the Pope Canyon arm of the lake.

After about 3/4 of a mile, an old jeep trail cuts sharply to the right from the main roadbed and descends to a nice grassy shoreline that is good for a picnic. The trail passes through fencelines which denote the boundary between Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management property, both of which are open to the public.

At the end of the old road are large fields overlooking the water and scenic rock outcroppings. Swim and picnic here under large Oaks, being careful of rattlesnakes when walking off trail in the tall grass. Western Grebes and Osprey are often seen in this idyllic spot.

• Degree of Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Condition: wide old road, good trailbed, footing somewhat rough in spots.