Wright Peak Summit Trail

Mount Konocti draws the attention of anyone traveling around Clear Lake. The summit of Wright Peak, the highest point on Mount Konocti, is accessible by hiking the 3-mile fire road. Mount Konocti County Park was just recently opened to the public in 2011, and the trails throughout are in great condition. 

Wright Peak is home to a Cal-Fire lookout tower that is staffed with volunteers during times of high fire danger. When staffed, the tower is open to the public and visitors can learn how to use the Osborne Fire Finder, a device used to find a directional bearing on fires and report it to firefighting crews. The views from Wright Peak are expansive, regardless of whether you make it into the lookout tower. Clear Lake and Snow Mountain are easily seen to the north. On clear days you can even see Lassen Peak and Mount Diablo, two notable peaks that are separated by 180 miles.

Big views are the main draw of hiking this peak, but there are interesting features on the trail itself. You can visit the site of a homestead built in 1903, pass by long-established apple and walnut orchards, and see the remains of a tragic plane crash. You can also lengthen your hike by visiting several other peaks on Mount Konocti.

At the base of Mount Konocti, Clear Lake is the largest freshwater lake whose entirety is in California (Lake Tahoe is in California and Nevada), and one of the oldest lakes in North America. Mount Konocti's distinct shape and prominence can be attributed to the fact that the mountain is a dormant volcano within the Clear Lake Volcanic Field. The area last erupted around 10,000 years ago. Steam from the nearby Geysers Geothermal Field can be seen to the south as you wind your way up to Wright Peak's summit.