Overview
North Clear Lake from Poe Mtn. Poe is a small mountain above the northwest end of Clear Lake a few miles north of Scotts Valley between Lakeport and Upper Lake. This is a cool little peak with outstanding views. It is a short half day or less hike up a fire road from a remote canyon in a sparsely populated rural setting.
Getting There
North from Poe Mtn. From Hwy. 29 at Lakeport take the Scotts Valley/11th St. exit west a half mile. Turn right and continue north on Scotts Valley Road another 4.25 miles with a few turns along the way to Eickhoff Rd.. Take Eickhoff Rd. approximately 1.3 miles staying to the right at a junction to just past a stables building next to the road. Find a place to park as close to the side as possible because it is a narrow road.
Route
South Ridge near the top
The lovely wall of brush across the road
Descending the south ridge fireroad Climb through an easy wire fence and down into a stream bed (which could be flooded in the rainy season). There are 2 dirt roads leading up the south ridge just above the horse corral. They both connect up after a quarter mile or so on the ridge and the summit is easily reached in 1.5 miles since (as of Sept. '14) the road was recently graded. There is a crux to this route which is a wall of brush across the road deposited by the earth mover who graded it, probably to keep ATVs out. The brush on the side is just as thick. The only option is to flail your way over the 4 ft. pile which takes a few moments and could easily produce some bloody scratches. Not really a big deal, just throw in some F-bombs and you're over it. When you get up to the side of the peak an old fire break goes straight up steeply through some brush but the road continues around to the right and connects to the one going left up to the summit in a short distance. The top is also freshly graded providing unobstructed 360 views.
This route is 3 miles round trip and 1,000' el. gain.
Red Tape
North Clear Lake from Poe Mtn. This is a somewhat grey area here. It is probably private prop. but there were no signs or warnings to stay out. Eickhoff Rd. is a public road and I didn't see anyone around. Just make sure you park far enough to the side and be cool about it. :)
When to Climb
Northwest To Middle Mtn. from Poe Year around. It gets hot in summer and could see some snow in winter.
Spring would probably be best but you might have to negotiate the stream bed if it's rainy.
Camping
Southeast from low on Poe south ridge There is no camping in the immediate area but there is the
Clear Lake State Park about 15 miles south near Mt. Konocti by the lakeshore.
Weather and forecast
Clear Lake from Poe Click here for the current and 10 day forecast fore Lakeport.