Hiking Lake Hennessey in the Springtime is Beautiful

This is a really pleasant trail in the Napa Foothills along Lake Hennessey, especially in the springtime when the hills and trees are all green. During the right times of day, it can also be great if you’re a birder.

While the views of the lake can be fantastic, the trail is completely exposed along the shore, and it is not advisable to hike on a hot a summer day. At the beginning of the trail, you may have to cross a moving stream, so you may want to wear waterproof/resistant boots. You also may want to go counter-clockwise to get the elevation out the way from the beginning. It’s a good workout.

While the hike takes you along Lake Hennessey, there are signs here and there telling you not go into the water because it’s a reservoir for drinking water. Anyway, there are beautiful views around the lake, especially in the spring when the hills and trees are all green.

At about four miles, and after you’ve turned away from the lake, you will begin to climb. Over the next .7 miles, you will climb on an 8.3% grade, and may will feel like a workout under the oak forest.

Take your time and enjoy the hike under the oaks and in the hills as you meander back to the trailhead.

Along the way, there are signs that discuss the various birds that live in the area you may see.

Birds that can be seen at Lake Hennessey:

• • Acorn Woodpecker
  • American Coot
  • American Crow
  • American White Pelican
  • Anna’s Hummingbird
  • Ash-throated Flycatcher
  • Bald Eagle
  • Barn Swallow
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Bewick’s Wren
  • Black Phoebe
  • Black-headed Grosbeak
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler
  • Brewer’s Blackbird
  • California Quail
  • California Towhee
  • Canada Goose
  • Caspian Tern
  • Cassin’s Vireo
  • Clark’s Grebe
  • Common Raven
  • Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Great Egret
  • Green Heron
  • Hairy Woodpecker
  • Hutton’s Vireo
  • Killdeer
  • Lesser Goldfinch
  • Mallard
  • Mourning Dove
  • Northern Flicker
  • Nuttall’s Woodpecker
  • Oak Titmouse
  • Orange-crowned Warbler
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Red-winged Blackbird
  • Ring-billed Gull
  • Song Sparrow
  • Spotted Towhee
  • Steller’s Jay
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Virginia Rail
  • Western Grebe
  • Western Scrub-Jay
  • Western Tanager
  • Western/Clark’s Grebe
  • White-breasted Nuthatch
  • Wilson’s Warbler

Directions: From Sacramento, take Highway 80 West to Highway 113 North in Davis. On Highway 113, take Exit 29, W Covell Blvd and turn left. This turns into Highway 128, and follow it west to Winters. Stay on Highway 128 and follow it to Lower Chiles Valley Road in Napa County. Follow Lower Chiles Road to Chiles Pope Valley Road to Moore Creek Park. The parking coordinates are here: 38.510050, -122.355620

This Skinny

Trail: Lake Hennessey
Trailhead Coordinates: 38.509210, -122.355260
Trailhead Elevation: 361 Feet
Distance: 7.4 Mile – Lollipop
Level of Difficulty: 🟡
Average Grade: 1.6%
Steepest Grade: 5.5% for 1.7 miles
Ascension: 1087 Feet
Trail Condition: 🟢🟢🟢🟢
Scenery: 🟢🟢🟢
Nearest Town: St. Helena
Challenges: High Temperatures, Steep Climb
Traffic: 🥾 on Weekdays, 🥾🥾 to 🥾🥾🥾 on Weekends
Highlights: Views, Birdwatching
Best Time: Spring, Fall
Hazards: Exposure, Poison Oak
Wildlife Concerns: Mountain Lions, Rattlesnakes, Ticks
Cell Service: 📱📱 (AT&T)
Would I do this hike again?: Probably not
Parking: Free
Restroom: Vault toilet in the parking lot