Or you could ride from the Tahoe Meadows trailhead on the TRT, which is a super fun ride and a lot more challenging than either of the flumes. Rose Hwy end (can be done as an out and back or a shuttle). The Incline Flume trail also has good views of Tahoe (though not quite as good as the Marlette Flume) and there is no fire road portion if you start at the Mt. it really depends on how capable the riders in your group are. There are plenty of other trails in the area that are great and also have excellent views of Tahoe. Unfortunately the cafe at the bottom is being renovated right now, otherwise I'd suggest eating there afterwards. I always walk it with the bike on the cliff side because I'd rather it went over than me! The Flume is about 7 miles with no climbing to speak of, but you're here for the views, which are fantastic! The fire road back down to Tunnel Creek is steep and sandy, and there are lots of hikers on it, so controlling your speed is important. There is one very short section where there is a high penalty for failure. It's easy singletrack with a wide tread, but beware of exposure if anyone in your party is afraid of heights. You then go around the west side of Marlette and pick up the Flume Trail proper. Then you drop down to Marlette Lake which is really pretty and a nice place to eat lunch (go out onto the rocks past the pit toilet). That said, I've taken a few people there over the years and they've all enjoyed the experience.įor the OP, if you do the shuttle from Spooner Lake it starts out as a fire road climb of 4 ish miles and the last 1/4 mile is very steep. it's basically a very scenic rail trail sandwiched between a couple of fire roads. It doesn't suck, but you're not going to get a premium singletrack experience. I do it every year with my coworkers and always enjoy it even though I've ridden it multiple times before. You don't do the Flume for the trail, you do it for the scenery. I suppose it really depends on what you're looking for.

If your kids enjoy the outdoors I would guess they would enjoy it, too. The riding isn't world-class, but the views are and I think most intermediate riders would enjoy it. The riding up there had some intermediate tech features. After my morning ride on the Flume Trail I had them shuttle me up to Tahoe Meadows and rode back to the shop on the TRT.

Had a couple of beers and a good sandwich at the cafe next to bike shop. Great guy, down to earth, with a small mtb business worth supporting. It was fun talking to him about racing alongside teammate Jon Tomac and against competitors like Overend and Murray. The owner, Max Jones, a former champion racer for Mongoose and MTB Hall of Famer, set up my bike and drove me to the trailhead. On the most recent ride I rented from Flume Trail Bikes and found them to be a first-class small business. I rode the trail several times in the early 80s and again in 2014, mostly for reasons of nostalgia.

As others posters have said the riding isn't technical and reasonable fit beginners can easily complete this ride. Once you hit the actual Flume Trail the views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains are as spectacular as advertised. Marlette Lake is very scenic and there can be a lot of wildflowers along the way, particularly after a wet winter like last one. I enjoy climbing, FWIW, though I'm not particularly good at it. The climb up to the Flume Trail from there is really not that bad, though it is sandy with a few steep sections. Get detailed information on Flume Trail #154 on our website.Īpril 1 to October 1 the area is day-use only (no camping) and a permit, purchased in advance, is required.I can recommend shuttling to Spooner Summit with Flume Trail Bikes.

Cell phone service is very undependable in the canyon.

Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat!.

Good, sturdy shoes with good ankle and arch support are a must for this 10-mile round trip adventure.

In summer months, temperatures can exceed 100☏ along this exposed trail with little shade.Īt least two gallons of water: one for the hike in, one for the hike.

The dam was decommissionedĪnd partially removed between 20, allowing the creek to flowįreely, earning it the designation 'Wild and Scenic River.' Steadily over the first mile, then rolls gently over the next three and a half miles, ending at the dam and the junction with Fossil Springs Trail. The trail ends at the Oldįossil Creek Dam, approximately five miles one way. Line of the now-removed flume that once carried the water from the diversion dam to the Starting at the old Irving power plant location, the trail follows the

The flume trail