Mountain Biking the Flume Trail
By: Jenn Gleckman
An early start to spring means that many Lake Tahoe mountain bike trails are melting out faster than usual. The weekend was perfect for recon on Flume Trail, one of Tahoe’s mountain biking gems and one of my favorites.
The Flume Trail sits on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. The trail, ranging between 7000 and 8000 feet in elevation, boasts some amazing panoramas of the lake and mountains. While not a super technical trail, the Flume does have some exposure and crosses a few steep sections. But the views are worth it! Not a mountain biker? The Flume is also open to hikers.
There are a few ways to access Flume Trail and surrounding trails, including Tahoe Rim Trail sections. Most people start from Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, taking the trail out to Marlette Lake and along the singletrack that overlooks the lake. They either ride it one way, descending Tunnel Creek Road and catching a shuttle back or do it as an out-and-back ride. My friend and I opted for something totally different. We instead climbed up Tunnel Creek Road, and then rode Flume around Marlette Lake to Marlette Creek Trail, a super fun 2.7 mile descent.
I’ve been on this trail countless times, and I continue to be awed by the scenery. It’s that spectacular.
So if you’re looking for some advice from a local, trust me on this – if there’s one trail you mountain bike or hike on your Lake Tahoe vacation, make it the Flume.
If You Go
The Flume Trail is snow-free, though the neighboring sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail do still have snow. Shuttles, bike rentals, maps and trail information are available from Flume Trail Mountain Bikes. It is recommended that mountain bikers carry water, snacks, a bike pump and spare tube, bike repair kit, first aid and sunblock, along with a camera to capture the views. And wear a helmet, naturally.
For general Tahoe area mountain bike trail maps and the latest trail conditions, be sure to visit the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association’s website.
Jenn Gleckman, who moved to Lake Tahoe in 1999, is a tourism marketer for local agency Strategic Marketing Group. She admits to spending as much time as possible playing outside, ideally on her skis or mountain bike. This blog first appeared on Musings from the Mountain and is reprinted here with permission.