Tag at Your Own Risk

The image was taken on a trip out to Pyramid Lake which is not too far from Reno, Nevada. It's only about a 45 minute drive depending on which part... more

by Brent Dolliver

Title

Tag at Your Own Risk

Artist

Brent Dolliver

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The image was taken on a trip out to Pyramid Lake which is not too far from Reno, Nevada. It's only about a 45 minute drive depending on which part of Reno you are leaving from. If you are on the southern most part of Reno, probably about an hour and a quarter. It is an amazing drive though once you get out of Reno's sister city, Sparks. Out on Pyramid Highway, there is little else than Nevada. By Nevada, I mean, mountain ranges everywhere you look covered primarily by sagebrush and other endemic flora. Once you turn off your preconceived ideas that only green is beautiful, you will appreciate Nevada for all its subtle tones, textures, and unique beauty.
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Once you make your way to the actual lake, you will be greeted with the remnants of a prehistoric lake. Pyramid Lake, as well as Lake Walker, was originally part of the prehistoric lake, Lake Lahontan (a lot of lakes, I know, please bare with me). When you finally make it to Pyramid Lake, it feels as if you are being transported in time. Not only does the lake look as if you could see prehistoric species grazing in the sagebrush, there are still prehistoric species of fish in the lake. The Cui-ui fish, pronounced like kiwi fruit, is an ancient species of fish.
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Beyond just the looks and wildlife that inhabit the area, the lake itself is very special. It is an Indian reservation for the Paiute tribe native to Northern Nevada. The three major tribes in Northern Nevada are the Paiutes, Washoe, and Shoshone. There are many sacred sites around the lake and on the lake itself. One in particular is the namesake of the lake. Off the eastern shore, there is a pyramid. There is an ancient myth that goes with the pyramid that I have been told by a friend of mine who is Paiute.
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During the old times, a war broke out between the Paiutes themselves and two brothers found themselves on the opposite sides. The two brothers killed each other in combat, and after the battle was over, their tribes people told their mother. The mother was so stricken with grief that she decided to drown herself in the lake. The mother walked into the lake as she cried, and there, she drowned herself. Even after she died though, she never stopped crying. Over time, her tears built the pyramid we now see, and to this day, the pyramid grows from the salt in her tears.
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Due to the sacred nature of this site, and many other sites, only tribe members are allowed to go there. Pyramid Lake is an interesting place with many other stories to be told. If you ever find yourself in the Reno area and don’t know what to do besides gambling and paying my state income tax, visit Pyramid Lake. Explore an ancient lake with an amazing history waiting to be discovered. Take the time to appreciate more than green. Take the time to enjoy just part of what Nevada has to offer.

Uploaded

April 29th, 2013