Highlander - An Ongoing Quest
Dorn Trail

Click on the links above to see a description of each individual hike. Patches can be obtained at the Pleasant Hill Scout Shop or by sending in the patch order form.

Hike Information

The Dorn Nature Trail - Clear Lake State Park 5300 Soda Bay Road
Kelseyville, CA
(707) 279-4293
Online: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=473

Trail Length - 3 miles
Average Elevation - 1340 feet
Elevation Change - 300 feet
Hiking Level - Easy

Overview

Clear Lake, an estimated 2.5 million years old, is the largest natural lake located entirely within the state. Clear Lake State Park is home to various varieties of oak, manzanita, numerous wildflowers, ferns, grasses, and berries which all play a role in the food chain for the wildlife in the area. Deer, squirrels, otter, insects, birds, and all living things in this nature park interact with each other. Once an active area of volcanic activity, much of the terrain around 4200' Mt. Konocti was formed by lava flows and movements of the Earth's crust. The park was established in the 1940's when Fred and Nellie Dorn donated 300 of the now 565 acres.

How To Get There

From Highway 29, just south of Lakeport: Turn east on Soda Bay Road and follow the signs to Clear Lake State Park. (or directions from Kelseyville to Park, see below).

From Kelseyville: Turn east on Live Oak Drive (traffic light at Live Oak Drive and Hwy 29). At the stop sign, turn left on Main Street, then right on State Street, and another right on Gaddy Lane. Follow Gaddy Lane out to Soda Bay Road. Turn right on Soda Bay Road and follow signs to Clear Lake State Park.

Camping Facilities

Clear Lake State Park: $15 site/night, 8 people per site. There is also a group campground: 50 people maximum for $60/night. Call (707) 279-4293 for more information. Reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica at 1-800-444-7275 or online at http://www.reserveamerica.com/.

The Hike

From the Visitors Center, walk back up the day use access road to the main park road. Here you will see a sign for Dorn Nature Trail. The path joining Dorn Nature Trail from the left is the return leg of the loop. A separate Indian Nature Trail (1/4 mile loop) is also highly recommended. This would be a great hike in conjunction with Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.