Landscapes are constantly changing. Thousands of years ago the landscapes of North America looked very different. Canada was under a massive sheet of ice, the massive Lake Agassiz (larger than the Great Lakes) covered much of the north, and there was the large Lake Lahontan in Nevada.
Native American ancestors were here in these times to see these prehistoric features. The histories of the people living here were shaped by these ancient lakes and other features.
The Size And History of Lake Lahontan
Lake Lahontan was a large endorheic (a lake with no outlet) and Pleistocene lake that covered much of northwestern Nevada. It extended into northeastern California and southern Oregon. A more touristic lake in the area is the stunning Lake Tahoe on the border of Nevada and California.
Over its history, the level of Lake Lahontan fluctuated widely - and even dried up completely in the past.
It occupied a large portion of the Great Basin (one should also visit the Great Basin National Park while in Nevada). It peaked around 12,700 years ago and had a surface area of over 8,500 square miles (22,000 square kilometers) making it one of the largest lakes in North America. At that time its depth was around 900 (or 270 meters).
- Peak: Around 12,700 Years Ago
- Max Size: Over 8,500 Square Miles (22,000 Square Kilometers)
- Lahontan Cutthroat Trout: Evolved As a Predator Species In The Lake (Survives Today In Tributary River and Pyramid and Walker Lakes)
As the climate changed at the end of the Pleistocene epoch the lake began to dry out and by around 9,000 years ago, much of the lake had disappeared. The lake broke up into various smaller lakes, most of which also dried up leaving playa behind. Today Pyramid Lake and Walker Lake are the last of the remnants of Lahontan.
- Remnants of Lahontan: Pyramid Lake and Walker Lake
- Playas Of Lahontan: Black Rock Desert, Carson Sink, Humbolt Sink
Today one can easily spot the ancient shoreline in places by the tufa formations throughout the area. Tufa is a variety of limestone that's formed in geothermally heated hot springs (the area is geothermally active).
Archaeological evidence around the ancient shores of the lake suggests that the lake coincided with the first people to appear in the region.
Grimes Point Archeological Area
One of the best places to see the ancient shores of Lake Lahontan is at Grimes Point a short drive out of Reno. It is a 720-acre archeological site that is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1972.
- Location: Just off U.S. Highway 50 East of Fallon (A Short Drive From Reno)
Here one can walk along the short "Grimes Point Trail". This trail leads visitors through many petroglyphs that have been etched into the rocks. Some of these petroglyphs are thought to be around 7,000 years old and it is thought people were here 8,000 years ago or more.
It is best known for its cupules - which are small pits dug out of the rock surface. These are found on hundreds of the boulders in the area.
In ancient times Grimes Point would have been a peninsula of the lake. It would have been on the edge of marshland (now just desert) and hunters could have been able to hide behind the large boulders here waiting for deer and antelope to come and drink and feet by the water's edge.
As one looks from Grimes Point to the nearby cliffs, one can spot the ancient shoreline on the cliff walls.
Grimes Point site is part of a much larger archeological complex. It includes various materials, caves, shelters, and other archeological sites.
- Open: Open To The Public Year-Round
- Admission: Free
- Trail: Quarter Mile and Self-Guided Interpretive
- Facilities: Restrooms and Picnic Facilities
Tip: Also Check Out The Churchill County Museum in Fallon and the Nevada State Museum in Carson City For Prehistoric Displays of the Area
Hidden Cave at Grimes Point
Nearby is also the Hidden Cave, normally the Bureau of Land Management offers tours of it, but as of the time of writing, these tours are canceled until further notice. Check on their website for updates.
Hidden Cave is an important archeological site and was formed around 21,000 years ago by the waves of the rising Pleistocene Lake Lahontan. It is thought to have been used as a cache - a place to store objects and not for habitation.
- Tour: The BLM Gives Free Public Tours Of Hidden Cave on The Second and Fourth Saturdays of the Month (Currently Canceled)
- Start: The Tours Start At Churchill County Museum in Fallon, at 9:30 a.m. And Finish By 12.00 pm
- Access: Hidden Cave Can Only Be Access With a Scheduled Tour