Pyramid Lake NV - Sun 10/16/22

 

For years I've wanted to visit Pyramid Lake, but we were always just leaving home on our way to somewhere or on our way home and eager to get there; thus, no time to stop.  Pyramid Lake is a destination.  Today we made it the place to go!

We were so close anyway -- leaving Second Chance Ranch, we turned south towards Reno, made a U, and headed north on Hwy 445.  The lake is only 35 miles Northeast of Reno.  About all we knew was it was on Paiute Tribal land and we would have to get a permit to be there.  I was pretty sure an RV park was located on the lake's western shore, but never could get ahold of anyone there.  Fishing season opened on Oct 1st, so it might be hit or miss on if the RV park was full.  We were willing to find out.   

On the way through dry, dry high desert,

with lots of fun rock formations.

I don't know if you can read the sign, but it's full of info if you can.

The impressive pyramid (tufa formation) for which the lake is named.  This is a zoomed-in pic, so the pyramid has to be very large.  I think that dinky white dot on the near shore (center) is a camper.  Gives some perspective!

Some facts for you:  Pyramid Lake is 26 miles long, 4 to 11 miles wide, and 350 feet deep at its deepest point. It's been called the world's most beautiful desert lake and we could see why -- it presents a range of colors from turquoise to emerald green to deep blue.  Jimmy and I were amazed to see so much tufa rock at the lake.  In case you don't know, tufa needs just the right kind of conditions to form, and Pyramid Lake is the world's largest producer of tufa rock.  Now we all know!

Also, a large White Pelican breeding colony can be found at Anaho Island (eastern side of the lake), but we didn't see any.  (I think they flew off to Eagle Lake!)  We did see plenty of Western Grebes (above) and hundreds of Coots.

The lake is fed primarily by the Truckee River, and it's a terminal lake, meaning it has no outlet.  It's very cool for us to have seen the Truckee River's mouth (it's the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe) and it's terminus here at Pyramid Lake.

After getting our camping permit and setting up at Pelican Point (jacks down, slides and awning out), we grabbed our binocs and camera and went for a walk along the shoreline.  A perfect day for a walk, warm and sunny.  Again, we were astonished at the number of tufa pieces, as well as the different kinds, all along the shoreline.  

The water color rivaled Lake Tahoe.

Grasses and Rubber Rabbit Brush grew on the other side of the beach, golden hills beyond.

Another fisherman (or woman?).

Yowza!  Big specimen.

Jimmy tested the water temp and pronounced it "not cold."

I guess we walked a mile or so along the shore,

and followed this dirt road back to camp.

Tergel (above) parked at Pelican Point ... we're dry camping again.  But, oh-my-gosh, what a view, and no neighbors.  It was wonderful.  When we stopped at the Ranger's office, we obtained a one-day camping permit for $32.00.  We could camp anywhere on the beach or in this c/g with its paved pads.  (The main c/g had fishermen camped cheek-by-jowl and we didn't want to stay there.)  The nearby boat ramp was a busy place -- its parking lot filled with vehicles and boat trailers.  There's allegedly good fishing in Pyramid Lake, mainly native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout ... and some of those are big dudes!

We watched the sun set over the water and got ready for a comfy night.  The elevation is lower than last night (3800'), so we assumed the overnight would be warmer, as in NOT down in the 20's.  We got out our cards and played a few rounds of Hand and Foot, then hit the sack.  This was a good day!