Pine Nut Gathering

Pinyon pine- Wikipedia Commons

Pine nut gathering is a Great Basin tradition that started with the native peoples and is popular today as a great way to harvest an especially tasty food. In the Snake Range, pine nuts are harvested from the singleleaf pinyon, Pinus monophylla, which grows in mixed stands with Utah juniper between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. It is the only North American pine with single needles. All other pines have needles in bunches of two or more.

Pine nut gathering in Great Basin National Park is allowed only during the fall. To minimize impact to the park and ensure that plenty of food remains for Clark's nutcrackers, pinyon jays, and ground squirrels, please observe the following park rules:

• Pinyon pine nuts may be gathered and removed from the park only for personal non-commercial use.
• Limits are: 25 lbs per household per year or three gunnysacks of cones per household per year. When laid flat, each gunnysack must be no larger than two feet by three feet. Those found in possession of pine nuts or cones in excess of these amounts may be cited and the pine nuts and cones will be confiscated.
• Parking is allowed only in gravel or paved parking areas. Do not drive or park off-road. All-terrain vehicles and other off-road vehicles are strictly prohibited.
• Breaking branches, cutting, pulling, shaking, climbing, or otherwise injuring pines or other plants is illegal.
• Only free standing ladders may be used for picking.