10,000 years. 4,300 feet. 1 magical mountain. Experience Mt. Konocti!

Do you believe in magic? You will when you experience the splendor of Mt. Konocti, our very own 10,000-year old, 4,300-foot tall volcano.

There are so many words you can use to describe her: incredible, majestic, stupendous, beautiful, breathtaking, unbelievable…you get the idea.

But no other word does a better job of embodying the experience of seeing Mt. Konocti besides “magical.” Whether it’s for the first time, or the one-thousandth time, you truly never get used to seeing her. Trust us on this one, we live here.

Despite celebrating her 10,000th birthday (give or take a few centuries), Mt. Konocti is actually the youngest mountain on the California Coast Range. Located to the north of Napa and Sonoma, right here in our neck of the woods, Mt. Konocti provides a magical (there’s that word again) backdrop for our hot springs, resorts, and vineyards. And while Mt. Konocti hasn’t erupted in thousands of years, she brings a bounty of scenic beauty that is anything but dormant.

But there’s much more to Mt. Konocti then meets the eye. Here are three ways to unlock the mysteries of magical Mt. Konocti!

Take a Hike

Enjoy sprawling, panoramic mountain views like nothing you’ve ever seen from the Wright Peak Summit Trail, part of Konocti Regional Trails. You can see almost 70 square miles of the massive Clear Lake, while on some days you can even see well into the Sacramento Valley some 50 miles away. On most days you’ll likely spot many species of birds, including bald eagles (that will no doubt spot you). Hope you don’t mind heights, as you’ll get a front-row seat to the astonishing sight of clouds forming within the Mt. Konocti microclimate below.

Elevate your experience at Mount Konocti County Park, boasting more than 1,500 acres of unspoiled, high-elevation natural scenery that features orchards, ancient forests, and more than a few pleasant surprises. 

Go Back in Time

History buffs will get goose bumps at the sight of the Mary Downen cabin. Built in 1903, this was the first homesteader cabin built on the mountain by western pioneers. Remarkably, the cabin remains untouched from its original condition.

Mt. Konocti is also the source of many shamanic legends from the indigenous Pomo people who lived on Mt. Konocti some 11,000 years ago. The word “Konocti” comes from the Pomo people, though it’s hard to tell what it originally meant (the Pomo spoke seven different languages, after all). In one language, Konocti means “big rock,” while in another it means “mountain woman,” which makes sense given she kinda looks like the silhouette of a woman lying down. Still another legend says that Konocti was the name of the magical chief who created the mountain.

Have a glass

Okay, so technically this isn’t something to do at Mt. Konocti, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention her role in our world-class wines. Lake County is the fastest-growing region in wine country, with more than 30 wineries spread over 9,000 acres. The reason? Our grape varietals are bursting with robust flavors thanks to our temperate climate, high elevation, and…you guessed it… the rich, volcanic soil formed from the ancient lava flows of our most famous resident, good ol’ Mt. Konocti. Naturally, the talent and tenacity of our vintners who make the scrumptious wines is also a huge reason, so you should plan your trip to visit them.

Mt. Konocti has many secrets, some we will never know. But that won’t stop us from trying, and it shouldn’t stop you either!

Unlock the many magical mysteries of Mt. Konocti and plan your escape to one of California’s most legendary — and most Clearly Different — mountains. As always, we’ll see ya when ya get here! 

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