At first glance the sheer size of Clear Lake tends to overwhelm you. With its 44,000 surface acres it is the largest lake in California. But more important, it is the oldest lake in North America. The lake has existed for millions of years, long before man walked on earth. Nearby majestic Mount Konocti stands as a sentinel over the lake. Local Pomo Indians have always considered Clear Lake and Mount Konocti to be a sacred place and they hold it in reverence.
Located two hours north of the Bay Area, Lake County offers a colorful western piece of American history plus a wide array of animal and bird life. Clear Lake is the center piece of Lake County and it draws more than a half a million visitors a year. Scientists place the age of the at more than 2 million years. The lake is home to more than 300 species of birds and it holds more fish per acre than any other lake in the country. The lake is world famous for its outstanding bass fishing but there are other recreational opportunities as well. It is considered to be one of the top bodies of water in the country for bird watchers. For years, visitors came to the lake for its outstanding fishing but that has changed. Many visitors now want to kayak or take a ride a pontoon boat on the lake and view the abundant bird life. It’s not uncommon to see thousands of nesting western grebes, herons, eagles, osprey, white pelicans, egrets and other bird life. Mountain lions have been seen strolling along the shoreline as well as bobcats, deer, otter and other wild critters.
For those that don’t have access to a boat, a drive around the shoreline offers and an excellent chance to view bird life.
Overlooking Clear Lake is majestic 4,300-foot Mount Konocti. The name “Konocti” is derived from the Pomo words “kno”, for mountain, and “htai”, for woman. The mountain is still considered an active volcano although the last time it erupted was 10,000 years ago. In 2011 the county purchased 1,500 acres on the summit of the mountain and turned it into a park. The Mount Konocti County Park is now open to the public and offers breathtaking views from its summit. To reach the summit you have to hike approximately four miles. The hike starts at the parking lot about one-half way up the mountain. The hike is a steady climb and somewhat strenuous but if you take your time and stop to rest you can make it to Wright Peak in about two hours. Actually, you are hiking on a maintenance road used by technicians to access the cell towers. Along the way you will pass through a grove of canyon oaks. Some of the trees are believed to be more than 500 years old. This is a great place to take a break and reflect on the mountain. In the middle of the grove of oaks you turn down a dirt road where you will see a homesteader cabin. The cabin was built in 1903 by Mary Downen who homesteaded here. The story goes that every sunny day at precisely 2 p.m. she would communicate with her daughter in Lakeport by flashing a mirror.
The bottom line is that Lake County has something for everyone. It is the perfect place to live or visit.
