To Lake County Trails Enthusiasts!

We are pleased to announce that Mt. Konocti will be open to the public beginning Saturday Sept 24th! While there will not be an initial "Grand Opening" this year, the first day of public access will be in conjunction with the Kelseyville Pear Festival held the same day. Kim Clymire, Director of Public Services, will be at the Festival to talk about Mt. Konocti and to distribute the first hiking trail brochure in the Konocti Regional Trails System - the Wright Peak Summit Trail.

The Wright Peak Summit Trail is a 6+ mile round-trip hike from the Upper Parking Lot near the access gate on Konocti Road, with an approximate 1,600 ft elevation gain. The trail takes hikers along the main access road, past walnut and apple orchards, through an amazing Canyon Oak grove to the Mary Downen cabin, built in 1903. It then continues up to Wright Peak and the CDF Tower, with possible side trips to Howard Peak.

While currently available for access, another hiking trail brochure to Buckingham Peak will be launched in Spring 2012.

The park will open initially for day-use hiking only, with other uses by a Special Facility Use Permit, available from the Lake County Public Services Department. A Master Management Plan is being developed by County staff and a committee of volunteers that will help guide the operation and maintenance of the park.

Other opening regulations include:

• Non-motorized day-use except for official authorized vehicles.
• Absolutely no fires or smoking on the mountain.
• The park will open for hiking only, with other uses such as equestrian, non-motorized mountain bikes, dogs on leash, and others possibly allowed under a special Facility Use Agreement (FUA).
• The first section of the hiking trail passes through private property around Fowler's Orchard on an easement. Respecting the privacy of the homeowner by staying on the trail is paramount to preserving the public's right to access the park.
• The park may be closed during high fire danger, severe winter weather or for other health and safety reasons.

Currently, the County is working on the following projects to ensure a smooth opening.

• Cal Fire and the County Road Division Crews are grading the main access, Konocti Road up to Wright and Buckingham Peaks, and trimming brush back.
• A hiking trail to circumvent the Fowler's walnut orchard has been built. This was required prior to opening, as a condition of the sale. We ask that all hikers please respect their privacy, and not trespass on private property, signs are being installed.
  

• Waterless/vault composting restrooms will be ordered and hopefully installed prior to the rains. Benches, tables and additional signs will be installed in late fall or early spring.
  

• The County has negotiated a five-year lease with the State for use of the Cal Fire Look Out Tower, located on Wright Peak, to be used for supervised recreational activities in exchange for maintenance. We will need volunteer docents, preferably trained in C.P.R. and First Aid, to supervise tower access.
• During the initial lease period the County will work on legislation to extend the lease or have the State donate the tower to them.
• Utilizing $60,000+ in donated acquisition funds, the County is in the process of purchasing another 47.5 acres of the Mazzola and Harbey properties where the road crosses their property; this will allow irrevocable public access and replace the existing easement agreement.

If you have any questions, wish to volunteer or need additional information; please feel free to contact the Lake County Department of Public Services at 262-1618.

More information will be available as needed on the County website at www.LakeCounty.com. Copies of the Wright Peak Summit Trail brochure will be online at www.KonoctiTrails.com beginning 9/24/11, as well as at the County Visitor Centers.

Thanks to all who have helped make this dream a reality,

Kim Clymire, Director of Public Services,County of Lake