Kingsbury to Star Lake on the Tahoe Rim Trail

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Jeff Moser

The Tahoe Rim Trail from Kingsbury to Star Lake is an advanced ride that takes the rider from the trailhead at 7,400 feet elevation, through the woods, on cliff sides high above Carson Valley, across Monument Pass at 8,820 feet elevation, across barren wind swept mountainsides, and up to the 9,100 ft high alpine Star Lake at the base of the highest mountains in the Tahoe Basin. On July 24th, a group of riders led by our guide, Marcus Marchegger, rode this adventurous 18 mile out-and-back ride, a ride that has become one of my favorite sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The following is the story of our ride and a guide to help you navigate your next adventure.

At the Kingsbury Trailhead

The Kingsbury Trailhead is a bit awkward and isn’t as well marked as many of the other TRT trailheads due to the ski resort roads and buildings. To get there, drive up to Dagget Pass, the summit of Kingsbury Grade. Take Tramway Drive south for about 1.5 miles to the Heavenly Valley Resort Stagecoach Lodge parking lot. There are no facilities here, and everything appears to be closed down for the summer; however, there is a convenience store back on Tramway Drive if you need any last minute provisions.

9 Miles to Star Lake

The trail begins underneath the Stagecoach chairlift at 7,400 ft. elevation. This section of trail basically goes straight up the ski run, going through a marshy area and then straight up through loose sand. Awful. We came back this way (still awful), but there is a better way to get going on the trail. Ride back up the road you came in on which parallels the ski run, turn right on the first switchback, and then make the first left on Needle Peak Road. Ride a short way back over to the ski run, and ride around the gate. The road will become dirt, and ends up crossing the ski run where you rejoin the Tahoe Rim Trail. Look for the TRT sign at the trail that goes into the woods. This is where the real trail begins.

Singletrack through the woods

Once past the mileage sign, the trail begins with a series of switchbacks climbing through a forest of red firs and Jeffrey pine. The climb is moderate, but there are numerous boulders to navigate. The obstacles aren’t huge, but enough to stop forward momentum at slow speeds. We had to dismount frequently climbing this section, but were able to ride most of it descending on the way back. After about of mile of climbing, we reached a saddle where the trail mellowed out and became relaxed rolling singletrack through the woods.

A steep and rocky switchback

Western white pines and lodgepole pines become the dominant tree in this section. The trail crosses the south fork of Dagget Creek and goes under one of the ski lifts of Heavenly Ski Resort. The trail is wide and open in places, and other times it gets narrow as it goes through thick stands of manzanita and tobacco brush.

Jesse with a view of our mountain destination far off in the background

Scott J cruises along the rolling singletrack

Eventually the trail arrives at the north rim of Mott Canyon where it meets a ski area service road. In one direction it climbs steeply up the hill, and in the other direction it dives down into Mott Canyon. For a rider that is accustomed to the gentle flowing grades of the Tahoe Rim Trail, neither direction looks inviting. You might feel lost and bewildered at this point. There is a small TRT sign high on the tree above that points the way down into Mott Canyon, but it’s easy to miss since it is way above eye level. Thankfully, Marcus knew the way to go, and we followed the steep sandy road down into the canyon. It wasn’t far, but enough to make you worry that you were descending too much and think about how brutal it was going to be coming back up this road on the return trip.

Confusing Intersection at the north rim of Mott Canyon

Just when you think you’ve descended too far, the Tahoe Trim Trail takes off again to the south. Look for the little signs high up on the tree.

Look for the small TRT signs that get you back on the singletrack

Soon the trail crosses under another ski area chairlift at the bottom of Mott Canyon. Numerous varieties of wildflowers grow along the tiny Mott Canyon Creek.

Wildflowers along Mott Canyon Creek

The climb out of Mott Canyon is breath taking. Not so much for the scenery, but because of the big drop-off on the downside of the trail. It’s a fun section, and keeps you focused. It’s also a section where you can appreciate the hard work and engineering skills of the Tahoe Rim Trail trail builders.

The climb out of Mott Canyon

Once out of the canyon, you begin the ascent to Monument Pass. The trail is reminiscent of the Flume Trail in this section, but instead of Lake Tahoe, you are high above the Carson Valley. This section is very exposed and becomes more difficult the closer you get to monument pass. We found ourselves getting off the bikes frequently to get over steps and get up the switchbacks. This was ok though, since it was nice to rest and enjoy the spectacular view.

Looking out over the Carson Valley and south towards Jobs Peak

Wide open views of the Carson Valley

There are many trail obstacles as you near Monument Pass

At just over five miles into the ride you reach Monument Pass at 8,820 ft elevation. You feel like you’re pretty high up, but Monument Peak still towers above you to the west at 10,067 ft elevation. This is a good spot to rest up from the climb you just did, because there is a lot of smooth riding from this point on.

Scott J, Troy, Marcus, and Jesse at the top of Monument Pass

After regrouping and having a short rest, we crossed back over to the Tahoe side and into the California section of the Trail. It wasn’t long before we started seeing Freel Peak and Jobs Sister up ahead. The trail really opens up on this section and there is much to look at. We enjoyed the still snow covered mountains of Desolation Wilderness far off to the west, and the green High Meadows below us. Further up the trail we would get a few views of South Lake Tahoe.

Leaving Monument Pass with Jobs Sister in the background

The trail is relaxing and rolling at this point, but a bit sandy. The fat tires on my big 29 inch wheels were really a plus for keeping the bike under control. It was great to get some continuous riding in after all the dismounting we had to do previously.

Jobs Sister and Freel Peak

Break time under a very old juniper

Before making the final ascent to Star Lake, we rode through a stand of very old juniper trees. Although the trees themselves weren’t very tall, the trunks were massive! The bark looked and felt like it was several inches think, the inside of the tree impervious to the outside elements. None of us were very tired at this point, but we really just wanted to spend some time enjoying the company of these extraordinary trees.

Looking west towards Desolation Wilderness

We made it to Star Lake!

Near the top of the final climb, I began to wonder just how far away Star Lake was. We came up on a trail marker, but it gave no distances. Before I could finish further speculation, we topped the ridge and there it was! The beautiful blue-green waters of Star Lake. Marcus was at the trail intersection to show us where his favorite beach was, and then I could see Troy and Jesse down at the water’s edge contemplating a swim.

Group Photo at Star Lake

We had a nice long lunch at Star Lake. This is a place you’ll want to spend some time at. It’s remote and unspoiled, a place that not many people get to see. Across the lake we could hear the whizzing reels of some fly fisherman, and further down we could hear the occasional Kersplash! of people doing cannonballs into the water off some high rocks. Other than that, it was very peaceful. We soaked our legs in the cool waters and stared up in amazement at the craggy peak of Jobs Sister looming above us.

The cold blue-green waters of Star Lake

We had rested and cooled off enough that jumping into the cold lake seemed less inviting than it had when we first arrived. I was out on a rock taking photos of the lake when I heard a rustling in the bushes down the shore. I thought we were about to get a wildlife sighting, but it was just Marcus. He had shed all his cycling gear, and was about to make the plunge into the lake. When he surfaced, he let out a howl that would startle even the most battle hardened Norseman. This pretty much helped me decide whether or not I was going to go swimming or not. I went back to shore and put on my shoes.

Trail Sign

For riders looking for even more riding, the trail crosses the outlet stream on the lake’s west side, and ascends the mountainside to the saddle below Freel Peak. From here it continues all the way to Big Meadow, or you can even connect to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride which drops back down to South Lake Tahoe. We had ridden plenty though, and were ready for some fun descending back to Kingsbury.

Flat Repair

We started the downhill out of Star Lake, and were at least 27 seconds into it when we came around the corner to Marcus and Troy pulled over on the side of the trail. Troy had hit something on the trail and had torn the sidewall of his rear tire! The tire was setup tubeless, so it was an instant flat. We booted the tire, put a tube in it, and were once again underway.

The return trip to Monument Pass

The return trip to Monument Pass was fantastic. After the fast descent out of Star Lake, the easy rolling terrain allowed a comfortable speed for looking around and enjoying the scenery. The wide open views make you feel like you are on top of the world. I frequently got the chills from the beauty and awesomeness I was taking in.

The return trip to Monument Pass

Another thing that is worth mentioning about this ride is all the different micro-environments you pass through. As you descend out of Star Lake, you pass through stands of western white pine, lodgepole, and hemlock. Soon after you are riding through giant juniper trees. Climbing back to monument pass there is sagebrush and mountain mahogany, giving it more of a desert feel. The scenery is always changing, and keeps the trail interesting.

The return trip to Monument Pass

Jeff coming down a staircase

After climbing to monument pass, we began our descent down to the Carson Valley side. Much of the trail that we had to walk up on the way out was now rideable with gravity on our side. There are some big granite boulders to pick your way through in the beginning, and then fun staircases to bounce down after that. Some of the switchbacks were still too tight to navigate though, and we had to dismount occasionally. Once the trail smoothed out, we enjoyed a scenic ride along the cliff above Carson Valley, and then descended back down the narrow path leading into Mott Canyon.

Back on the Carson Valley side

After a nice rest at Mott Canyon Creek, we arrived at the sandy road climb. Troy made a granny gear attempt to scratch his way up the hill, but the rest of us pushed our bikes up. It took seconds to descend this thing, but several minutes to get back up. It felt great to get to the top, knowing that it was mostly descending back to the trailhead!

Climbing the steep sandy road

Once back up on the north rim of Mott Canyon, we were treated to a long smooth singletrack section. It was not super fast, but more relaxed and rhythmic. Lots of twists and turns and fun trail features to ride over. We came to the final saddle, and finished off the last mile of switchbacks down the hill. Again, we were able to ride much more of the trail than we did when we were ascending.

Smooth flowing singletrack

We ended the ride with the steep sandy trail down the ski slope back to the parking lot. Again, this is not the best designed section of the trail, especially when compared to the construction marvels of the trail up above, but it was probably better than coming back down the pavement section we had climbed in the beginning.

Jesse at the bottom of a triple switchback

TIPS:

This is a strenuous ride with lots of rock steps and boulders to negotiate. There are also some steep drop-offs that may unnerve people that are afraid of heights.
This area is remote. Before you take any unnecessary risks, think about how long it will take help to reach you should you get injured.
Make sure you bring a full repair kit. With all the rocks, there is plenty of opportunity for flat tires and impacts. I scratched up my shiny new bash guard pretty good on this trip!
Bring a lot of water. Although the ride wasn’t that hot, I went through most of a CamelBak and two water bottles.
Much of the ride is exposed, and the sun is intense at this elevation. Wear some sunscreen.
Although there is much exposure on this ride, there are still many sections of shaded woods. Wear sunglasses with a good transition lens that lets you see good in the shadows.
Check the weather report before you go, and be prepared. You don’t want to be up on the high exposed areas if a thundershower breaks out.

Back at the trailhead

MORE RESOURCES:

Complete Photo Set on FLICKR.
Jesse’s account of the ride on NowhereNevada.com.
The Tahoe Rim Trail website: http://tahoerimtrail.org/

The Snowy Climb to South Camp Peak

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Jeff Moser

Late Saturday night I got an invite to go on a Sunday morning ride on the Tahoe Rim Trail. My first thoughts were, “Didn’t it just snow up there?” A quick query to the social networking sites confirmed…anywhere from 0-4″ inches of snow along the trail! On Sunday morning I loaded up the 29er single speed in sub freezing temperatures, and headed for the Kingsbury Grade/Daggett Pass trailhead up at at over 7,000 feet above sea level. If nothing else, it would be an adventure! But what would life be if we never stepped out of the norm and went beyond our accustomed comfort levels?

Jeff P and Toby

As the gang unloaded bikes and suited up, I took a quick ride up the trail to see how the conditions were. The snow wasn’t deep, but depth isn’t always the best indicator of how the snow is going to be to ride in. Even an inch of snow can be a nightmare if it’s warm and greasy. I was pleased to find that the trail was well packed down from recent traffic, and the snow was cold and crisp. Perfect snow for riding in, with plenty of traction. There was no reason not to give it a try!

Lester and Joy

Joy

This section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, Kingsbury Grade to South Camp Peak, is one of the more difficult stretches for mountain biking. The rolling trail is full of boulders, steps, ledges, and difficult turns. Some obstacles require careful analysis and a few attempts to find the best line. Additionally, there are more than a few challenges that require some courage to attempt. Sometimes you have it, sometimes you don’t, but that’s what makes this trail so fun. There is a strong allure to come back again and again to see if you can improve your performance.

Break Time at the Crossroads

As challenging as this trail already is, it was even more so with a couple inches of snow on it. Many obstacles just weren’t an option, since you couldn’t get the speed and traction you needed. But for this very same reason though, it was a bit safer. We found ourselves walking over many of the biggest challenges. Challenges that have sent me over the bars on previous rides. There was a lot of hike-a-bike for me that day, and I was glad to have my lightweight single speed.

Amanda

We had a good assortment of bicycles on the ride. There were three full-suspension 26″ wheeled trail bikes, and four 29ers. Two of the 29ers were rigid single speeds, one was a hard tail, and one was a full suspension rig. Having ridden this trail on my big Kona Coiler, and having had my fair share of miles in the snow, I was quite pleased at how my 29er single speed performed on this ride. I always thought of this ride as a full suspension ride, but the big wheels were great for getting up the steps, down the ledges, and over the boulders. The bike’s light weight also helped tremendously with my endurance. I also felt the 29 inch wheels were superior in the snow. I had a decent amount of traction, even with a low profile knobby.

Joy and Lester

We definitely found solitude on this ride through the winter wonderland. We would regroup periodically, but we quickly spread out after each break. This left each of us alone to ponder our thoughts. For me this was a mix of Christmas Carols and the ever present blog composition. “What will I write about this ride? Which pictures do I need to tell the story?” Outside my head though, it was quiet. About the only sounds of the day were the crunch of the snow under our our tires, and the far-off tintinnabulation of the bell on Toby’s dog.

Mickey

The bicycle tracks ended at the crossroads, so we had to blaze new trail up the final stretch to the top of South Camp Peak. Surprisingly though, the snow never got deeper. We trudged on, and finally came out on top. South Camp Peak is more of a big long open ridge when compared to the other peaks of the area. It is mostly treeless on the west side, and you feel like you’re riding along the top of the world with views of Lake Tahoe the whole way. We took a short rest at the summit bench, soaked in the extraordinary view, and then prepared for the descent back to Kingsbury Grade.

The Bench atop South Camp Peak

As we began our descent, the temperatures started to warm up. Cold, crisp snow turned mushy. Firm sand turned to mud. There were some sections of downhill that really tempted you to go faster, but often the front tire would start getting squirrelly, reminding you that you were riding on snow. Even still, I was amazed at how fast we were riding in the conditions.

Lester

Toby

Everyone finished the ride in great spirits and without injuries (at least nothing major). Not bad for a trail that was 90% snow! One handlebar computer mount bit the dust, but that was the only damage I heard about. It was one of those days that turned out just perfect. I knew the conditions would not be the same the next day. We had that perfect window.

Jeff M

And finally, what would an epic ride be without post ride refreshments? A big thanks to Toby and Amanda for bringing the well earned Dale’s Pale Ale. I should also acknowledge Zuesa. She was by far the most skilled trail user of the day, and cleared every obstacle she attempted!

Dale’s Pale Ale

Tahoe Rim Trail – Big Meadow to Round Lake

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Jeff Moser

One of the things I’d like to do before I die is to explore the entire length of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The entire trail is 165 miles long, so it will probably take me a few years. Thankfully, there are many sections open to mountain biking.

Trailhead Map

Recently my family explored the portion of the Tahoe Rim Trail from Big Meadow (near Luther Pass on HWY 89) to Round Lake. Along the way I took mental notes of how this section would be to ride. Although this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail is only open to bikes for 5 miles from the Big Meadows trailhead to where it meets the Pacific Crest Trail, there are a couple side adventures to be had for additional mileage. The Scott’s Lake Trail heads off to the east from Big Meadow, and the Dardanelles Lake Trail heads off to the west further up the trail.

How much time to you have?

From the the Big Meadow trailhead, there is a steep climb up several steps from the highway up to the elevation of Big Meadow. It’s not very long, so it wouldn’t be too big a deal pushing your bike up this section. Once up above the rock steps, the trail is very smooth.

Steps leading up from the Big Meadow Trailhead

There is another way to access this trail system from Highway 88. A dirt road switchbacks up from Highway 88 to Scott’s Lake. You can drive all the way up to Scott’s Lake, and even camp there if you have the time. Local rider Marcus, having explored this area thoroughly, had this to say about the riding on this section of the TRT:

The most fun place to start is Scott’s Lake, you get to skip the rocky 1st quarter mile from the Big Meadows trailhead. Dardanelles is the most fun trail to ride to because it has some well made creek crossings. The trail from Scott’s Lake to Big Meadow is totally rolling and fun. The trail to Dardanelles has a couple of small hike sections, but for some reason I find Dardanelles much more appealing than Round Lake. The drop to Christmas valley is brutal. It can be fun if you are really good, are having a great day, and you are like 20 years old.

Big Meadow

Once you hit Big Meadow, the trail is smooth and flat. It almost gives the illusion that it’ll be easy going from here on out. After leaving Big Meadow though, the trail pitches up fairly steep. It’s still very smooth, but you will be using your granny gear. There is plenty of shade, and the trail climbs up along pretty meadows. There is a lot of slow moving water around, so bring your mosquito repellent!

Meadow Life

Big, Old Growth Trees

The remains of ancient volcanic activity

The Dardanelles rising 1,000 feet above Round Lake

Once you reach the saddle, you begin to enter a different zone as you leave the drier portion of the Carson Range behind. Small lakes are abundant. Signs of ancient volcanic activity become visible. Amazingly tall fir trees that escaped the lumber companies loom above you.

Taking a dip in Round Lake

A long switchback takes you down the other side of the saddle. As you descend into the next valley, you are reminded that you’ll eventually have to come back up this steep section of trail! Near the bottom, the trail to Dardanelles Lake peels off to the east (also the Christmas Valley Trail). We continued climbing up through interesting rock formations on the way to Round Lake. Giant boulders made of smaller rocks and petrified mud are scattered around the trail, and glimpses of the giant cliffs called the Dardanelles are visible through the trees.

Smooth singletrack

Round Lake made a relaxing place to have lunch, and it was extraordinary to look up at the cliffs above us. Round Lake was a bit greener than other lakes I’ve been to though, so there may be better destinations in the area if you’re looking for a swim.

The return trip through Big Meadow

To summarize…this section of the Tahoe Rim Trail doesn’t have the length and gentler grades of some of the other sections I’ve ridden (Mt. Rose Meadows to Marlette Lake comes to mind…), but it is definitely worth exploring if you don’t mind a few tough climbs and the occasional bike portage. There is plenty of mileage and scenery to be had if you incorporate a few out-and-backs. Marcus’s camping option at Scott’s Lake sounds wonderful…anyone?

Spooner Summit to South Camp Peak

Posted on July 23, 2009 by Jeff Moser

It has recently been declared that I take one day of furlough leave per month. This affects many people in the Carson City area, but a few of us are making the most of it. What better way to spend your day off without pay than out riding your bike?

TRT Trailhead at Spooner

We’re currently in the hottest part of the year right now, so the best place to ride is at high elevations where the temperatures are much cooler than down here in the valley. Kristy and I dropped the boy off at school, and then shuttled the bikes up to Spooner Summit at 7150 feet above sea level. While I have explored the Genoa Peak area quite a bit, I’ve never ridden the section of the Tahoe Rim Trail from Spooner Summit to “the bench” on South Camp Peak. It was a good day for exploring.

The first mile of trail has several switchbacks

There is currently construction going on at the rest stop at the top of Spooner Summit, but the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is still open, accessed by a temporary trail that borders the construction zone. We followed the temporary path around to the TRT trailhead, picked up a map, and began our ascent.

TRT wandering through the brush and trees

Forget warming up! Like many of the trails up at Lake Tahoe, there is no direction to go but up. The trail makes many switchbacks, and the climbing is fairly steep for the first mile. Thankfully there is a lot of shade, so it makes the hard effort more enjoyable. Once we got up a bit higher, the climb mellowed out a bit, but it was unrelenting. Very little elevation was lost on the way to South Camp Peak, with very brief descents before the next long climb. We took frequent breaks in the cool shade of the big fir trees.

Snack break before ascending South Camp Peak

Until you get near the top of South Camp Peak, there aren’t too many views of Lake Tahoe. You only get glimpses here and there when the trees thin out. This area was heavily logged after many of the trees got sick from the beetle infestation a few years ago. Thankfully, there are thousands of new fir trees growing to replace the missing trees. Many times, it appeared we were riding through a Christmas tree farm, with perfectly formed baby fir trees everywhere.

Mini Fir Forest

Although the terrain on this section of the TRT is pretty mellow, especially when compared to the section between Kingsbury and South Camp Peak, it’s not as easy as it looks. There are no steps or ledges to go over, and there are very few boulders; however, the trail is pretty narrow from all the brush, and the constant climbing saps your strength. There is a lot of loose shale when you reach South Camp Peak as well. The shale took some careful navigation. We had to steer around the jagged rocks while fighting for traction at the same time.

Atop South Camp Peak with Emerald Bay in the distance

Once past the steep jagged rocks though, the trail flattened out, and we rode easily along the top of South Camp Peak with open views of Lake Tahoe from up at 8858 feet above sea level. There are several rock outcroppings along the west slope, each with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. The northernmost rocks had the best view of north Lake Tahoe, but we continued on to “the bench” on the southwest side of South Camp Peak. The bench is nice to sit on, and allows you to gaze across the lake at Emerald Bay, Mount Tallac, and Pyramid Peak. To the south, Jobs, Jobs Sister, and Freel Peaks are visible. There’s even a big rock here that makes a nice lounge chair. Even though South Camp Peak is exposed and sunny, the temperature was cool, and there was a strong breeze blowing. It was a good place to be on such a hot day.

“The Bench” on South Camp Peak – One of the best views of the Lake

Enjoying the View

Jagged rocks mimicking the jagged peaks in the background

For riders looking for more mileage, you can continue south on the TRT from here all the way to Kingsbury Grade. The trail changes dramatically though. There are many ups and downs, steps to climb up, and small drops to launch off. It’s a wild ride, but rewarding for those willing to give it a go. Another possible side trip from the bench is the road up to the top of Genoa Peak where the radio tower equipment is located. There are some outstanding views of the Carson Valley from up there. From the bench, look to the southeast to see the nearby Genoa Peak.

Natural lounge chair

After having lunch and taking in as much view as we could, we began our descent back to Spooner. The tired legs were happy knowing that there was very little climbing involved to make it back to the trailhead. We took breaks mostly to rest our braking fingers!

Returning north atop South Camp Peak

During some of the breaks, I would test Kristy’s bike out on a section of trail to see how it performed. Kristy was on her 5 inch travel, fully suspended Stumpjumper, and I was on the rigid 29er single speed. Although both bikes were very effective on the trail, each handled the trail obstacles quite differently. The plush travel on the Stumpjumper pretty much absorbed all the bumps, while the big 29er wheels on the rigid frame and fork easily rolled over the top of the obstacles. One bike felt like you went through the rocks, while the other felt like you went over them. The single speed also liked a bit more speed on the climbs, so it could use its momentum to get up and over. Both bikes were a blast to ride, and each provided a unique experience on the trail.

Looking down into Glenbrook Bay and northwest Lake Tahoe

So at the end of the furlough day I’m out a couple hundred dollars, but the riding, views, and time with Kristy were priceless. We can always make more money, but time seems like something we can never get enough of.

More pictures from the ride can be found on Flickr HERE.

Tour of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Jeff Moser

On June 27th we got friends together from both near and far and toured Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Lauren, Morgan, and a couple of their friends were up from the Bay Area, and Brian was visiting all the way from Michigan. Many of the Carson City gang was there to join in on the adventure too.

North Canyon Rest Stop

We left Spooner Lake in the early afternoon, and made our way up North Canyon. The temperature was warm, but not so hot that we were sweating buckets. Lots of butterflies were flying around the green meadows, and gave our minds something to concentrate on rather than the steep climb. It was a good time for conversation too, since we would be more spread out later in the ride.

Jesse on the Flume Trail

We didn’t stop at Marlette Lake, but rode along the shore on the way to the Flume Trail. Brian was talking about North Canyon still, and wondering where all the switchbacks were. He’d get them soon enough. The water was still high at the dam, and we had to ride through a little water to get over to the flume.

Sandie and Lauren on the Flume Trail

We rode out the flume, pausing often to look around the lake and take pictures. “Wow” was heard often along this stretch of trail. We even encountered the typical couple that was in way over there head. The lady was pushing her bike, and when we said hello to the guy, he got real nasty. It’s doubtful their relationship lasted after they turned in their rental bikes. Our group was in high spirits though, and pedaled on to Tunnel Creek.

Lauren and Brian on the Tahoe Rim Trail in search of oxygen

Before ascending the short, steep hill to the Tahoe Rim Trail, energy bars and gels were consumed. The road up Tunnel Creek is steep, but it subsides just when you think you’re about done. We caught our breath at the Tahoe Rim Trail intersection, and then pressed on to find the rest of the gang.

Brian summiting Marlette Peak

The Tahoe Rim Trail took us by “Twin Lakes”. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen water in these lakes except for snow. I bet they’re only lakes for a few weeks, if not only a few days. There are definitely signs of standing water, but it must drain really quickly.

Lauren and Morgan on the Tahoe Rim Trail

We continued climbing the many switchbacks on the Tahoe Rim Trail on our way to Marlette Peak. The high elevation was getting to some of our sea level friends, and I even heard someone utter the dreaded words, “death march”. Thankfully there were plenty of rest stops at the end of the switch backs, and we got spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and giant granite boulders.

Marlette Lake

When we got above tree line, the gang seemed to spring to life and charged up the final climb to Marlette Peak. Marlette Peak offers one of the best views of Lake Tahoe, with Marlette Lake visible in the foreground, and Lake Tahoe as the backdrop. You can even see the three peaks of Jobs, Jobs Sister, and Freel, towering above the Carson Valley to the South. I always wish I could spend the entire day at this spot, and just stare off into the distance, taking it all in. The burritos back at Brian’s condo weren’t going to eat themselves though, so we got on with the descent.

Group pose before the descent back to Spooner Lake

The Tahoe Rim Trail coming off Marlette Peak is a blast, and was the funnest descent of the day. There were some great photo opportunities when we rode through fields of mule’s ears, but there was no stopping at this point. We twisted and turned all the way down to the road, and then descended through a beautiful aspen grove along Marlette Lake. We finished off the last big climb out of Marlette, and then rode down 4 miles of double track to get back to Spooner. Some even commented that the downhill was too long! I think we were tired. A few of us headed back to Brian’s condo for New Belgium brews and Rene’s burritos. We ate and drank heartily, and great conversation was flowing. It turned out to be a great day for everyone to get to know each better, and we’re all looking forward to the next big ride.

Flume and Tahoe Rim Trail Ride Details

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Jeff Moser

Flume Trail

It has been decided that we’ll be meeting for the Flume and Tahoe Rim Trail Ride at noon(ish) on Saturday (6/27) at Spooner Lake State Park near Flume Trail Bikes (remember they have rentals…). This gives our California friends time to make the drive.

Hope to see you there!

Tahoe Rim Trail / Flume Trail Loop

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Jeff Moser

Last Friday, my friend Todd organized a ride on the Tahoe Rim Trail out of the Tahoe Meadows near Mount Rose. This is one of my favorite rides, so I jumped at the chance to go. The 30 mile loop we rode has fantastic views, fast smooth singletrack, and many challenges along the way to test your skills.

Tahoe Meadows Below Mount Rose

We met up at the Mount Rose Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead around 9:00 AM, and rode south towards Tunnel Creek. Scott J got to try out his new Stump Jumper’s suspension along the way. We all had fun climbing and jumping off the rocks.

Scott J on a Boulder Crossing

The first 9 miles to Tunnel Creek crosses back and forth along the ridge, giving you views of Washoe Valley on the East side, and Lake Tahoe on the West side.

Washoe Valley Overlook

Jon’s tube decided to die seconds after the picture below was taken. Pinch Flat! We swapped the tube rather quickly, but then I “thought” I saw something wrong with his brakes. I pulled one of the pads out, only to discover that there was nothing wrong, that they were just Avid Brakes…not the Hayes I’m used to looking at. We spent the next 20 minutes or so trying to reassemble Jon’s brakes, and got to meet many friendly people that passed us. At least we stopped near a pretty view! Jon forgot to bring his own tube, so Scott made an easy $40. It’s amazing what price you can command on such commodities when you’re in the middle of nowhere!

Above Crystal Bay

After reaching Tunnel Creek, we continued along the Tahoe Rim Trail. This section of the trail switchbacks up for a few miles to reach Marlette Peak. We ran into our friends Mike and Kathy along the climb, and chatted with them for a while. They were doing a loop in the opposite direction.

Riding Through Boulders

After a bit of a climb, we broke through the trees and made the final ascent to Marlette Peak. When I get my first glimpse of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe below, an overwhelming feeling comes over me. I’m not a religious person, but this place is about as spiritual as it gets for me. Marlette Peak is a wonderful place for lunch, so that’s just what we did. Ate and basked in the greatness.

Jon Riding up Marlette Peak

Scott J Above Marlette Lake

Marlette Peak

Lunch Break on Top of the World

In My Happy Place

After a nice break atop Marlette Peak, we began the fun descent down to Marlette Lake. The singletrack is fast, smooth, twisty, and goes in and out of the woods. Almost makes you want to pedal back up and do it again! We kept going though as there were many miles ahead of us. We got onto Marlette Lake Road, and made the final descent to the lake through the Aspens.

Marlette Lake

Leaving Marlette Lake

We pedaled around the south end of Marlette Lake, and then over to the dam where the Flume Trail starts. We met a couple at the dam, and the girl had lost a cleat bolt on her brand new shoes. Doh! Don’t forget the lock-tite folks! This may be a good item to keep in the tool bag come to think of it. It weighs next to nothing, and may save the day!

On The Flume Trail

There was a lot of traffic on the Flume Trail for a Friday! Can’t imagine what it must be like on the weekend. We took advantage of the frequent stops to snap some photos. The lake was glass smooth in some spots, and it looked like the boats were just floating in space!

Sand Harbor as seen from The Flume Trail

On The Flume Trail Looking South

We made it back to the Tunnel Creek crossroads, and took an extended break. We had a good chat with another group of riders that had done our loop the opposite direction. We both argued that our direction was much better. After refueling, we began our 9.5 mile trek back to Tahoe Meadows. Early into this final leg, we ran into Mike and Kathy again. They had a long ride ahead of them too.

Back on the Tahoe Rim Trail

Above Crystal Bay in the Afternoon Sun

It was now the afternoon, and going the opposite direction with different light made the trail all new. It is also deceiving how much elevation you lose on the way in. It feels like nothing but climbing on the way out! One by one we started to run out of water. A couple of the guys even uttered the dreaded “Death March” phrase.

Come on Guys! It’s Not a Death March!

Weary Adventurers

We finally made it back to Tahoe meadows around 5:00 PM, tired and thirsty. There was just one final ascent, and we decided to do it on the road to get it over quickly. The next drink of water was back in Reno, as there is no running water at the Tahoe Meadows trailhead. We all eyeballed a high school cross country team bus back at the top. Had there been an ice chest, we would have raided it. I think a small water filtration system might be good for these long summer rides. We were all loaded to capacity with water, but still ran out.

The Final Stretch

We were all pretty quiet on the drive home. I had to look in the back seat occasionally to see if Scott J was even still in the truck with us. The next 24 hours would be spent refueling and rehydrating. I slept good that night!

As always, more pictures of the ride can be found over on the Bike Carson Flickr page HERE.

Bike Carson

Bicycle News, Culture, and Lifestyle in Carson City, Nevada

Tag Archives: Tahoe Rim Trail

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