Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Lemmon Valley & Pyramid Lake

Fernley, NV

    For many years I've either seen Lemmon Valley near Reno on a map or seen signs to it as I drove by. My main question has always been the source of the name. A few days ago I was able to spend some time at three of the Washoe County Libraries where I located the following in a book titled Nevada Place Names by Helen S. Carlson.
....
    LEMMON VALLEY (Washoe). The valley, north of Reno and NE of Peavine Mtn, and the site of Stead AFB (phased out in 1965), was named for the Fielding Lemmon family, who had a ranch there. In 1861, Mr. Lemmon's ranch was an overnight stopping place for teamsters and travelers. He apparently was a member of the first convention called to frame a state constitution in 1863 (HNS, p. 89; OPN, p 67; 1893 Map; NJ 11-1)
....
[Source: Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary by Helen S. Carlson, p.154; UNV Press, 1974.]
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    Washoe Valley sits between Carson City and Reno along US395, which is being rebuilt in the area. Here's a dusk photo of Washoe Lake from David Creek County Park.

 

 

 

 

    Plaque on Old 395 placed by the DAR indicating the site of the Ophir Mill and surrounding town during the Comstock Silver Mining Era.

 

 

 

 

    A first view of Pyramid Lake looking toward the southeast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Panning left and looking more or less east.

 

 

 

 

 

    Panning further left for a first view of the rock formation which caused John C. Fremont to name the lake Pyramid Lake. [Click 1 or 2 times to enlarge.]

 

 

 

 

 

    A little clearer view of the "pyramid rock."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Plaque with facts on the lake, such as its size: 27 miles long and 4-11 miles wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The junction of NV446 & NV447 with the lake in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

    A view from the bottom of the lake looking north. [Note: the lake runs from NNW to SSE; also note the prominence of the "pyramid rock."]

 

 

 

    One last look at Nevada's largest natural lake (assuming Tahoe is exempt because of its two-state location).

 

 

 

 

 

    The main source for Pyramid Lake's water: the Truckee River. Just as Hawthorne Lake is the terminus for the Carson River, Pyramid Lake is the end of the line for the Truckee River.
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Links:

M 26 Sep Actual Route: Crystal Sprs CG - Minden - Garnderville - Davis Crk RV Park

T 27 Sep Actual Route: Davis Crk RV Park - Reno - Lemmon Valley - Panther Valley RV Park

W 28 Sep Actual Route: Panther Valley RV Park - Reno - Sparks - Pyramid Lake - Wadsworth - Fernley

Th 29 Sep Actual Route: Fernley - Wadsworth - Reno - Truckee - Lwr Little Truckee USFS CG

F 30 Sep Actual Route: Lwr Little Truckee USFS CG - Portola - Quincy Lib - Bucks Lake

Sa 1 Oct Route: Bucks Lake - Quincy - Lake Almanor
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Finding Campgrounds:

N.B. I receive nothing from Trailer Life or Woodalls for including links to their free campground lookups.

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