Pine Nut Mountains

They continue south for approximately 40 miles where they join with the Sierra Nevada near Topaz Lake and Leviathan Peak.

The Washoe tribe used (and still uses) the vast quantities of Pinyon pine for the nuts as a staple in their diet.

The nuts were collected, roasted, and cached during the fall for use during the lean months of winter.

After the discovery of silver and gold in the area, the Pine Nut Mountains became a key source of timber for the building boom and charcoal for the smelters, thus depleting many of the traditional Washoe collection areas.

Today, the range is still used by the Washoe for traditional purposes as well as by hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.