Summary:
This is the most famous ride the Tahoe area. One magazine voted the Flume Trail as Americas most scenic ride. There is quite a bit of climbing followed by some great singlertrack. This map has added an awesome Tahoe Rim Trail segment to the classic Flume Trail ride. If you have the lungs, you will not be disapointed!
Ride Type: Loop
Technical Info:
| Distance: |
22 mi. |
Technical Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Highest Point: |
8,660 ft. |
Aerobic Difficulty: |
Moderate to Difficult |
Climbing Elevation: |
3,861 ft. |
Route Finding Difficulty: |
Easy to Moderate |
Descending Distance: |
10.5 mi. |
Riding Time: |
3 - 4 hours |
How to get there:
• From the Reno area take I-395 to US 50 over Spooner Summit. Turn right at the route 28 function. Follow 28 for a mile or so and turn right at Spooner Lake State Park. It will cost you five dollars to enter.
• From the North Tahoe area take either 89 to 28. Follow 28 for about 13 miles past Incline Village and turn left into Spooner Lake State Park just before 38 intersects US 50. From the South Shore area follow US 50 North towards Carson City. Just before the summit you will see and old ski area on your right that is used for storing road work equipment, take a left here onto route 28. Follow 28 for a mile or so and turn right at Spooner Lake State Park. It will cost you five dollars to get in.
Trail Map:
Trail Info:
0 mi. |
Park as close as you can to the lake. Take the trail down to Spooner Lake and turn left down the road below the dam. |
3.8 mi. |
This is the top of the initial climb. Give your self a pat on the back because you have just climbed several thousand feet in 4 miles! Follow the road to the lake. |
4.8 mi. |
Welcome to Marlette Lake. You have a decision to make at this waypoint: The easier route is to turn left because it will break up the climbing into 2 sections but will create a more technical climb. Take the right hand route if you desire more brutal climbing immediately. The payoff is a more challenging fun downhill on the Rim Trail. The map waypoints follow the left hand route. There is a nice resting spot directly ahead on the lake. |
5.67 mi. |
Turn left. The trail turns to singletrack at this point and leads to the Flume Trail it's self. Along the trail you will have to stop and climb over several piles of rock blocking the trail |
9.87 mi. |
Turn right up the fire road here to get to the Rim Trail. This is also a good place to turn back if you do not want to ride the full loop. You also have the choice of turning right on the fire road and dropping down to the highway to pick up the shuttle back to the parking lot. Make sure you have talked to the shuttle operators at Spooner Lake before you attempt this!. The Sand Harbor Overlook is at the end of the singletrack to your left. |
10.22 mi. |
Turn right onto the Tahoe Rim Trail. |
10.56 mi. |
Take the left hand trail to the left of the lakes. There may be no water in the lakes depending on the time of year. |
12.6 mi. |
Continue straight on the Rim Trail. There is a nice Lake Tahoe overlook .25 miles up the trail to your right. |
13.2 mi. |
The summit! From here you can see Tahoe, Carson City, Reno, Washoe Lake, and the Carson Valley. Follow the Rim Trail to the left down the backside. The trail will split ahead into a horse route. Take the left hand trail. |
14.6 mi. |
Turn right onto the fire road. This is the end of the singletrack. |
15.65 mi |
Take the left hand road. |
16.3 mi. |
Turn left and climb out of the Marlette Lake area. Watch you speed on the downhill back to the car because of other users making the climb. |