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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The new county park on top of Mt. Konocti will make its official opening to the public this week.
Lake County Public Services Director Kim Clymire said the opening will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, in conjunction with the annual Kelseyville Pear Festival.
The county completed purchase of approximately 1,520 acres on top of Mt. Konocti, for a total of $3.6 million, in November 2009, as Lake County News has reported.
Clymire said there will not be an actual grand opening this year, however, he will be at the festival, in downtown Kelseyville, to talk with community members and visitors about Mt. Konocti and distribute the first hiking trail brochure in the Konocti Regional Trails System on the Wright Peak Summit Trail.
Copies of the Wright Peak Summit Trail brochure will be available online at www.konoctitrails.com beginning on Sept. 24. The maps also will be available at county visitor centers at that time.
The Wright Peak Summit Trail is a 6-plus mile round trip hike from the upper parking lot near the access gate on Konocti Road, with an approximate 1,600 foot elevation gain, the county reported.
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 Cal Fire Tower, with possible side trips to Howard Peak, according to Clymire.
While currently available for access, another hiking trail brochure to Buckingham Peak will be launched in Spring 2012.
Clymire said the park initially will open for day-use hiking only, with other uses by a special facility use permit, available from the Lake County Public Services Department.
He said 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, and absolutely no fires or smoking on the mountain, said Clymire.
The park will open for hiking only, with other uses such as equestrian, non-motorized mountain bikes and dogs on leashes, and others possibly allowed under a special facility use agreement.
The park may be closed during high fire danger, severe winter weather or for other health and safety reasons, he said.
Clymire said the county is working on several projects to ensure a smooth opening.
Cal Fire and Lake County Road Division crews are grading the main access, Konocti Road, up to Wright and Buckingham Peaks, and trimming brush back.
The first section of the hiking trail, which has been built, passes through private property around the Fowler family's orchard on an easement. This was required prior to opening, as a condition of the sale.
Clymire said respecting the privacy of the homeowner by staying on the trail is paramount to preserving the public's right to access the park. All hikers are being asked to respect the Fowlers' privacy and not trespass on private property. Clymire said signs are being installed.
In addition, Clymire said 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.
He said the county has negotiated a five-year lease with the state for use of the Cal Fire lookout tower, located on Wright Peak, to be used for supervised recreational activities in exchange for maintenance.
The county is seeking volunteer docents, preferably trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid to supervise tower access, Clymire said.
During the initial lease period the county will work on legislation to extend the lease or have the state donate the tower to them, according to Clymire.
Utilizing more than $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. Clymire said this will allow irrevocable public access and replace the existing easement agreement.
For more information or to volunteer to assist with the Mt. Konocti park, contact the Lake County Department of Public Services at 707-262-1618.
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