LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The recent volcanic activity of Kilauea in Hawaii, near Hilo where my family owns a home, led me to think of our very own local volcano, Mount Konocti.
Standing at 4, 300 feet in elevation, Mount Konocti holds the distinction of being a visible landmark throughout most of Lake County.
Mount Konocti County Park, a recent acquisition, encompasses an area of 1,520 acres at the historic mountain's top.
Docent-led hikes occur throughout the year, when they offer interesting information on the mountain's geology, history, flora, fauna and even folklore.
A Konocti Trails brochure ( http://www.konoctitrails.com/trails-information/mt-konocti-regional-park ) tells us that the unique park came about due to geothermal royalty funds.
The property is maintained with cell tower leases. A climb to the summit rewards you with breathtaking views of our beautiful county.
Much of the mountain is covered by dense chaparral, but a fine grove of massive Canyon Live Oak trees points the way up.
Mount Konocti is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption occurring about 300,000 to 600,000 years ago.
Lava covers nearly 13 cubic miles around the volcano. At Clear Lake's deepest area, in the vicinity of the Lower and Oak Arms there can be found volcanic debris.
Mount Konocti and its submerged tubes, along with our county's various hot springs and cinder cones are all together known as Clear Lake volcanics.
The Clear Lake volcanics encompasses the land from Lower Lake all the way to the Geysers Geothermal Fields among the Mayacamas Mountains, almost a dozen miles west of Lower Lake.
Local legend has it that a vent at the mountain's peak was dynamited to close it off during the pioneer days, when the volcano was known as Uncle Sam Mountain. Experts have stated that the mountain is riddled with tunnels and caves that open under the lake.
American Indians told stories of specially carved wood pieces being tossed into a crater and then found, later, floating in the lake.
Mount Konocti is considered a sacred site for local tribes, and played a large part in their mythologies and religion. In one of the Pomo languages Konocti translates as “Mountain Lady.”
The vast quantities of obsidian created by the volcano was used for thousands of years by American Indians for projectile points and tools for both their own use, as well as trading.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.