History

The Lahontan Community

Once a home to the Washoe Indians, the Lake Tahoe Basin and Martis Valley were once the site of tribal fishing camps and summer gathering areas. Today, the Lake Tahoe Basin continues to inspire with the breathtaking beauty of the Sierra mountains and the timeless inspiration of the lake itself, much like it was in the time of the Washoe Indians.

Lahontan Golf Club is located in the spectacular Martis Valley. The unspoiled meadows here are rich with wildfowl, painted sagebrush, and mountain pines. Martis Creek winds throughout the property and leads to Gooseneck Reservoir. Both the Gooseneck Meadow and Gooseneck Reservoir are encompassed by the Lahontan Community. Inspiring forested mountains surround the meadow on all sides and the most commonly seen mountains are Lookout Mountain, which is the mountain visible directly behind the meadow . Sawtooth Ridge runs to the right of Lookout Mountain and its trawling stretch all the way to Bald Mountain, which is above Gooseneck Reservoir. Directly South of Lahontan lies the Martis Valley Wildlife Area, featuring 1,050 acres of walking trails and wilderness observation.

The picturesque setting of Gooseneck Meadow was not only the perfect location for golf course designer Tom Weiskopf, but also for the television show "Bonanza" back in 1962. The television show was based out of Ponderosa Ranch in Incline Village. Both Gooseneck Meadow and Gooseneck Reservoir are featured during several episodes of "Bonanza."

The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

Long ago, the now rare Lahontan Cutthroat Trout migrated its way up the Columbia River system and established residence in Lake Lahontan, the giant prehistoric inland sea that covered areas of Northern California and Nevada. At that time, they were one of only two species of trout found east of the Sierra Mountain Range. Associated with Sierra waters ever since, the one-time massive Lahontan trout (largest recorded size is 41 pounds) is distinguished by its coppery red head and red, orange, or yellow slash marks under each jaw. Once on the brink of extinction, this ancient species can still be found in Pyramid Lake, Independence Lake, and in secluded inland streams.