Lover’s Warning

Mount Konochti and
Clear Lake

Native American lore states that Mount Konochti in northern California has magical powers. Descendants of one tribe believe the spirit of one of their ancient chiefs dwells within this mountain.

Some still believe this mountain can predict the future.

Centuries ago, the Pomo Indians lived on one of  the islands in Clear Lake—which sits at the base of Mount Konochti.

According to the legend . . .

The tribe’s wise chief, Konochti, had a lovely young daughter, Lupiyomi.

A rival chief from a neighboring tribe, Kahbel, approached Konochti and asked for Lupiyomi’s hand in marriage. Konochti refused. He felt the two were not compatible.

He knew they had been meeting on the sly but physical attraction was not enough. He felt since they came from different tribes they had different values, which would not bode well for a union.

Kahbel left, angry. Driven by his pride and lust he returned one night and kidnapped Lupiyomi. It is said he used his magical powers to build a causeway to the island were Lupiyomi lived.

This narrow strip of land cuts Clear Lake in half. It can still be seen and is known as the Narrows.

Konochti gathered his men together and fought Kahbel and his men on the Narrows. Both chiefs having magical powers hurled huge boulders at each other. These large rocks are littered across the slopes of Mount Konochti today.

Chief Konochti managed to kill Chief Kahbel but he did not walk away unscathed. He was mortally wounded and died.

The lore states the spirits then transformed Konochti’s, as he was dying, into the 4200-foot high mountain that bears his name. This is a common theme in Native American tales—powerful spirits are said to remain as notable landmarks.

Since, the belief is that Chief Konochti gives advise to lovers about the future of their relationships.

Hopeful couples, for years have stood along the shores of Clear Lake and looked toward this mountain. They then ask the chief if their relationship will last.

They always receive an answer within 24 hours. If the sun shines on the mountain the next day, Chief Konochti approves their relationship but if a fog or mist covers the peak, the couple should step back and think about their decision.

If storm clouds appear over the mountain, the couple is not meant to be together so they should pursue other relationships.

Most drastic of all is if one of the large boulders that remain dislodges and tumbles down the slope, this means the relationship will end in a murder.

Of course, this is just a legend but a running joke is some couples regret they did not heed Chief Konochti’s warning.

For the last 150 years, most of the land around Mount Konochti—which is a dormant volcano-- was owned privately. Recently, Lake County purchased some of the land, plus the highest peak. They plan to develop a public park. 

The Legend of the Qu’Appelle Valley

“I started up and bending o’ver my dead,

Asked when did her sweet lips in silence close.

“She called thy name—then passed away,” they said,

“Just at an hour when the moon arose.”

                                    --E. Pauline Johnson

In Canada there is a beautiful valley that stretches east to west across one third of the Sashatchewan province.

This valley called Qu’Appelle was in ancient times a glacial spillway but today is a popular spot for tourists who love the outdoors.

Qu'Appelle Valley

The first white settlers to this area in 1804 where fur traders and the North West Company.

One of these metis trappers was David Harmon who passed on a legend that the First Nation Crees told him in the 19^th century of how the valley got its name.

The Cree call the valley “Katepwet” which was later translated into French “Qu'Appelle” which was the language the trappers spoke.

In English Qu’Appelle means, “Who calls?”

This name comes from the legend the Cree First Nation people recounted to Harmon.

This legend was then immortalized in a poem written by E. Pauline Johnson entitled, The Legend of the Qu’Appelle Valley.

The First Nation Indians whom believe in spirits believe this story is true.

Qu'Appelle River

This legend tells of a young Cree Indian brave who canoeing home from a hunt hears a voice call his name just as the moon rises in the east.

“Who calls?” he asks. He hears his name called once more but receives no response except the echo of his own voice—“Who calls?”

The next day he reaches his home only to find the beautiful young maiden he was to marry had died the evening before.

He was told with her dying breath she had called his name twice. He asked when and was told she called his name just as the moon arose.

So it was her voice he had heard.

The First Nation Indians who lived in the region told David Harmon they heard a voice as they traveled through the valley, they then would respond, “Who calls?”

Even today many claim to have heard as the moonrises the dying young woman’s call on the wind.

Johnson's Mohawk name
was Tekahionwake.
1861-1913

Here is the first stanza of Johnson’s poem.

“I am the one who loved her as my life,

Had watched her grow to sweet young womanhood;

Won the dear privilege to call her wife,

And found the world, because of her, was good.

I am the one who heard the spirit voice,

Of which the paleface settlers love to tell;

From whose strange story they have made their choice

Of naming this fair valley the “Qu’Appelle.”

The entire poem can be read here.