what is a water loop? paddling safety Water Loop 1 Water loops are All , , and inflatable rafts must carry a U.S. recreational water- Water Loop 1 Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jack- ways on a lake, et) for each person on board. Before setting out, boaters konocti river, or ocean Rattlesnake should become know ledgeable about local conditions regional Rattlesnake between specific Island such as currents, rapids, flow levels, weather, and hazards. locations, contain- Great Blue Heron • Test new or unfamiliar equipment before use. trails Island ing access points Clear • Leave word with a responsible person concerning your and day-use leave no trace destination and when you will return. and/or camping Lake • Plan ahead and prepare for extreme weather, hazards, • Always make sure your craft is in good repair. sites for the - and emergencies. • Securely fasten all gear within the craft or in waterproof ing public. Water Respect wildlife—observe from a distance. containers that will float high and be easily retrievable. loops emphasize • • Avoid disturbing wildlife especially during sensitive • Learn how to swim; learn first-aid techniques and CPR. low-impact use • Paddlers are harder to see from other vessels. Keep and promote times: mating, nesting, raising young. • Leave what you find. Examine, but do not touch, cul- paddling groups together. Avoid long lines. stewardship of the • Watch for and avoid hazards such as fallen trees, resources, while tural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them. brush, fences, bridge abutments, or old pilings. providing healthy • Do not boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. outdoor activity. • Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. • Respect the privacy of landowners. Lake County Water Loop maps can be found online at Additional recommended equipment: protective foot www.lakecounty.com or at Lake County Visitor Centers. • Always ask permission before entering private land; un less otherwise posted, assume it is private property. gear, extra paddle, anchoring device, bailing device/ • Don’t litter. sponge, maps, flashlight, compass, first-aid kit, don’t move a mussel! boat-repair materials, hat, sunglasses, whistle, sunscreen, Help protect Lake County’s beautiful lakes and creeks • Remember sound carries across water more clearly than on land; avoid loud noises or boisterous behavior. waterproof storage bags, emergency light, water, GPS by preventing the spread of harmful plants, animals, unit, cell phone, knife, and a 50- to 100-foot throw rope. and other organisms, such as Quagga and Zebra mus- sels. These aquatic nuisance species can hitch a ride is mercury a problem? on , trailers, clothing, gear, etc., and then spread Mercury occurs naturally in the entire Coast Range regulatory or advisory markers of . Since the mid-1800s, mercury was to other bodies of water. If conditions are right, these Aids to Navigation invasive species can severely impact the aquatic eco - mined extensively and continued to be mined (when going upstream) system. Each time you leave any water body, be sure through World War II. Mercury can be found in lake NO ROCK to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry all items that sediments from soil erosion and run-off. WAKE come in contact with water. The waters of Clear Lake have low levels of mer- Keep Out Danger Controlled AreaLeft Side Mid-ChannelRight Side cury and are within the standard for safe drinking (invasive species zone)(may have flashing light on pole) boat inspections water; many county residents obtain their water sup- 4 miles round trip | About 2–3 hours ply from treated lake water. It also is perfectly safe to Experience Level: Intermediate thru Advanced To protect local water bodies from invasive species, the cold water dangers Launch Area: Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch swim in Clear Lake, which provides a wide array of County of Lake requires that certain types of vessels Capsizing or falling overboard into cold water can cause Island Drive off E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. be inspected prior to launching in Lake County waters. immediate health problems, ranging from disorientation The presence of high levels of mercury in some While kayaks and canoes currently are exempt, informa- and hyperventilation to heart attack. Cold water quickly fish is a problem in many lakes throughout • Views of tion about the inspection program is available through numbs hands and feet and saps overall strength. To California. The California Department of Health the Lake County Mussel Hotline: (707) 263-2556 or increase your chance of survival in cold water: • Migratory waterfowl route Services issued an advisory limiting the amount of www.co.lake.ca.us/mussels Always wear a personal flotation device (life jacket). fish consumed, particularly by children and women • • Wetlands, tule reeds Get out of the water as fast as you can since you get of child-bearing age. More information is available • reporting water pollution colder faster in water than air. • Historic cultural resources If you see anything at: http://oehha.ca.gov/fish.html A male • Dress properly. • Rich wildlife viewing Bufflehead, suspected to be pollution North or disturbance of the watch for these other species: in case of emergency, call 911 • Islands and canals America’s waterways, report it smallest • Picnic spots immediately by contact- Great Egret Green Heron Coots duck info & resources ing the Lake County Lake County Water Resources: (707) 263-2341 Sheriff’s Department at Lake County Parks & Recreation: (707) 262-1618 (707) 263-2690. Lake County Sheriff (non-emergency): (707) 263-2690 Lake County Visitor Information Center © 2010 Lake County Marketing Program www.lakecounty.com; www.konoctitrails.com; 6110 East Highway 20, Lucerne, CA 95458 This is one in a series of Lake County Water Trails Brochures, published as a cooperative effort of the http://watershed.co.lake.ca.us/ (707) 274-5652 (800) 525-3743 (800) LAKESIDE County of Lake and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. | | Photographs courtesy of Lyle Madeson, Redbud Audubon Society, Laura Lamar 4/10 www.lakecounty.com | [email protected] Rattlesnake Island is considered by many to be one Clear Lake Water Loop 1: Rattlesnake Island trail description of the best locations on Clear Lake, which is For the naturalist and those who View of noted for and catfish. Most days, fish- Mount Konocti while ing boats dot the perimeter from sunrise to sunset. legend want to savor breathtaking beauty, approaching this is a beautiful loop around Rattlesnake Island Circling around the island’s eastern end, the historic p parking Rattlesnake Island, past the historic Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine 2 comes into view. .H hazard Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine and Activity dates back to the California gold rush days in wetlands, and back through the the mid 1800s, when mercury was essential in the k boat ramp or launch canals of “The Keys” in Clearlake process of extracting gold from ore. Chinese laborers

.mph5 5-mph speed limit Oaks. On calm days, this is an easy removed the ore from deep mine shafts, which changed paddle for all experience levels. to open-pit mining during the 1920s. a camping On windy days, however, it is for Over the decades, geothermal inflows and rainwater I food experienced paddlers willing to filled the pit, becoming highly acidic and leaching dis- battle heavy winds and large wine tasting solved mercury back into the lake. Bacteria present in waves. In the summer, mornings the sediment converts this to methyl mercury, which is c picnic facilities are best since the midday sun can easily absorbed by wildlife and fish. The Sulphur Bank become intense and strong winds g restrooms Mercury Mine became an EPA Superfund Site in typically pick up in the afternoon. 1990. While few remnants of the mine or equipment fishing remain, the location is a California historic landmark, y visitor center although currently is fenced off to the public. trail route Heading back around the wetlands just north of the v wildlife viewing Park p and launch at the 3, watch the shoreline. Osprey— H lodging Clearlake Oaks boat ramp and the occasional eagle—can be seen perched for prey in k tall, bleached-out trees. Paddle past secluded Dollar Island water trail on Island Drive just off of East Highway 20. As 4 and catch your breath by perching on one of the marsh small rocky crags while you (non-navigable) you begin your paddle out toward Rattlesnake Island enjoy the view, but beware of 1, Mount Konocti domi- poison oak. At this point, you Rattlesnake Island nates the background— can choose to head back toward the boat launch, but a dormant volcano that sits at an elevation of 4,300 feet. Clumps of tule; avid birdwatchers may opt to Mount Konocti Geologists estimate its first eruption approximately 600,000 paddle into the Keys to loop years ago and evidence suggests the most recent volcanic into a small tule marsh 5. In the morning, calling activity took place within the last few thousand years. birds—such as blackbirds, coots, and herons—overpow- Archaeological evidence suggests Native American er the sounds of motorists along nearby Highway 20. activity on Rattlesnake Island dating back 8,000 years. Head back toward the boat ramp by entering the While privately owned, this island’s significance as the main Key near the campground at the southern tip of ancient burial ground and village site of the Elem Stubbs Island 6. Keep heading to the left through the , prompted a recent nomination to the National Keys and just before Clarks Island 7, a weeping wil- GPS waypoints Register of Historic Places. Descendants of the early low hides the Island Drive bridge—you can choose to inhabitants live 500 feet east by Sulphur Bank. p 39°01.09’ 122°40.23’ paddle under this to return to the boat ramp, or take a For birdwatchers, the winter months beginning in mid- picnic break on Clarks Island, which is a County- 1 39°00.50’ 122°40.49’ December through March, can be an unforgettable pad- owned park. Best done in the winter, spring, or early 2 dling experience. Migratory groups of cormorants, grebes, summer; naturally occurring algae and aquatic weeds 39°00.14’ 122°40.07’ gulls, coots, buffleheads, egrets, herons, and ducks are just 3 can hinder your paddling efforts during late summer 39°00.33’ 122°40.13’ a few of the waterfowl seen dotting the water, at times and fall. On windy days, the Keys can be a nice, easy numbering in the tens of thousands. And it’s not unusual 4 39°00.50’ 122°39.46’ jaunt through the canals, or a great choice if you’ve fin- for lucky paddlers to see a ribbon display of several hun- 5 ished with Rattlesnake Island but aren’t yet ready to 39°01.06’ 122°39.30’ dred American White Pelicans slowly stop. Great for waterfowl birdwatching, particularly in 6 39°00.57’ 122°39.54’ soaring overhead. But the summer still the winter. 7 holds many resident waterfowl, includ- Alternate launch point: This loop also may be 39°01.11’ 122°40.16’ ing osprey (pictured, cover)—typically accessed from the Short Street boat launch 8, located 8 39°01.24 ’ 122°40.23’ perched on bare tree trunks. Fam ilies off Highway 20 across from Nylander Park. After of otter and the occasional mink often launching, head toward the lake through the Keys play along the shoreline, as do the under the Island Drive bridge, which opens to the lake A male island’s resident goats and peacocks. and the Clearlake Oaks boat ramp.