Northern California is home to quite a few notable volcanoes, both of the active and extinct variety. In fact, some of our most famous peaks, such as Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak, are actually volcanoes. Mount Konocti might not be as well-known as the peaks that were just mentioned, but it is equally worth knowing about. Located along the shores of beautiful Clear Lake, this volcano is a fascinating natural wonder that you need to explore.
Located in Lake County, the Clear Lake Volcanic Field consists of numerous volcanic domes and cones—some of which are up to 2.1 million years old. The second highest peak in this field is Mount Konocti, an incredible Northern California natural wonder.
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Situated right along the south shore of Clear Lake, the volcanic mountain catches your eye as it springs up to 4,305-feet above sea level. Hugging it on either side are the communities of Lakeport and Clearlake.
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Mount Konocti is composed of five different peaks, three of which make up the main part of the mountain while the other two can be found off to the side. A road running from Kelseyville takes you right up to the mountain’s main summit, Wright Peak, although some prefer the challenge of hiking it.
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Today, the gigantic lakeside mound looks as peaceful as ever. However, the mountain possesses an extremely active and explosive history with eruptions and is currently classified as a high threat. Researchers believe it first erupted around 350,000 years ago, and last erupted 11,000 years ago.
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Most of the beautiful Mount Konocti is privately owned, but a patch of public land called Mt. Konocti County Park can be found at the very top of the mountain. It boasts over 1,500 acres of gorgeous views, plus many miles of hiking trails for exploring.
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Take some time to explore this incredible park and experience the beauty of this massive volcanic dome for yourself. From up here, you’ll witness extraordinary views of Clear Lake below, maybe even the Sacramento Valley if it’s an extra clear day!
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From its exciting geologic history to its incredibly diverse landscape, there’s a lot to love about Mount Konocti in Lake County. Plan a visit to this fascinating volcano for your next memorable outing.
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Did you know that Mount Konocti is actually an active volcano? Tell us about your favorite NorCal volcano that you’ve personally visited in the comments below!
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