Staff are resilient as Upvalley Parks recover from devastating storms

The picturesque landscape of Napa Valley has long been cherished for its vineyards, rolling hills and serene state parks. However, the tranquility was shattered in February when fierce storms wreaked havoc on the region, leaving Napa Valley state parks battered and bruised.

The aftermath of the storms revealed a scene of significant destruction. Trees, some centuries old, were uprooted, causing damage to water lines, vehicles and park infrastructure. Branches, like giant limbs, crushed staff cars and roofs, while landslides erased trails, leaving behind deep scars on the landscape. 

Like the impact of fires and COVID in recent years, once again the Napa Open Space District staff rose to the challenge and have been in emergency mode since early February. Among the enormous challenges, one saga stood out — the incident of the broken water pipe and the colossal root ball. A massive root ball, its tentacles wrapped around a section of the park’s water system, along with the 60-inch-diameter redwood tree it was connected to, including the water system serving Bothe and Bale Grist Mill parks, careened down a hillside, obliterating everything in its path, including the Ritchey Canyon trail. Removing such a behemoth required the deployment of a 57,000-pound excavator. However, the true challenge lay beneath the surface.

Initially, it seemed like a straightforward repair — a burst water pipe gushing water onto the trail. An 18-inch section was swiftly replaced, but as the line was recharged, another break emerged 10 feet upstream. This pattern repeated relentlessly, revealing a frustrating cycle of repair and revelation. Each fix unearthed another hidden flaw, buried within the clay-mud-ridden terrain.

Park staff found themselves in a relentless battle against nature. They dug out the thick, heavy mud, only to have their efforts inundated by rain, which flooded the freshly dug holes. Undeterred, they persisted, draining the water and digging once more. After five arduous weeks, the park has replaced almost 100 feet of water pipe and continues to work on restoring the water system. One hundred fifty thousand gallons of water were lost in the process, which added to the already-soaked landscape.

Despite these obstacles, the parks and their staff have shown great resilience and dedication, as work continued in dangerous conditions. The parks had to shut down to the public to protect safety during these five weeks, which also meant a decline in revenue.

For those of us lucky to live in St. Helena, please take a moment to thank the NOSD staff who keep our beautiful, treasured state parks open for our enjoyment. Due to their efforts, we are pleased to announce a partial reopening of the park. Although the campground and overnight facilities (including cabins and yurts) will be closed, visitors can now enjoy the picnic areas and some of the trails.

The Napa Valley State Parks Association raises money locally to support the staff, the infrastructure and support capital improvements in our three Napa state parks. Other revenue comes from camping fees, entrance fees and community events, The day-use parking fee is $10 per vehicle, or free for Napa Valley State Parks Association members (annual memberships available online at NapaValleyStateParks.org/Memberships).

As visitors return to the parks, repair efforts are still ongoing, so please be careful, as some areas of the trail system are still wet and muddy, and some trails still require repair. The trails open for hiking as of March 9 include the Redwood Trail, History Trail, Vineyard Trail and Coyote Peak Trail. 

For the safety of all visitors, certain trails, including the Southfork Trail, Upper Ritchey Canyon Trail, Ritchey Canyon Trail and Spring Trail, will remain closed until further notice. For the latest updates on park and trail closures, visit napaoutdoors.org/parkandtrailstatus.

Please take note of the following important information when visiting:

• The park's water and restroom facilities are currently unavailable. A portable toilet is provided at the trailhead.

• Until repairs are completed, the Ritchey Canyon Trail must be avoided, and closure signs must be respected.

• Bicycle use is not recommended, and equestrian use is temporarily prohibited due to trail conditions and connectivity issues.

As we at NVSPA continue to support our Napa Open Space staff, to help support them in the challenges Mother Nature brings, and work to raise additional funds in the face of crisis — we thank the truly dedicated staff, who with perseverance met these challenges with courage and dedication to our Upper Valley community. Please thank them when you see them. For more information, please visit napavalleystateparks.org.