This is a pretty good hike for everyone. I think it was rated moderate. It's just a short drive from State Line and there's signs as you get closer. Parking is ample and was $14 for 3-4 hours. The views are great once you get to the top. read more

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Wow! That is all I can say. It was a fabulous bike ride and the views are incredible. A few words of caution. First, don't be fooled by the claim this is an easy trail. It's easy if you bike every week and spend some of that time climbing. The climb is difficult but totally worth the effort. We rented bikes at the flume store and made the mistake of not getting electric assist. Regardless, they were super helpful and totally worth the price of entry. Would I do it again? Yes, I'm fact I am thinking of getting an e-assist bike. Take a camera, water, and plan on a great time! Also, they provide a ride to the trail head which is convenient. The trail ends behind the shop and you are at your car. This makes finding parking an easy option! read more

The Flume Trail - View from the trail. - Bike Rentals Near Me

One of the most breathtaking and rewarding hikes I've been on to date! Park at the Tunnel Creek Cafe, get a bite to eat and drink, then get on your merry way! Start your hike behind the cafe and follow the trail! It's easy! Can't recall an easier hike than this?! The trail is an easy ascend for about a mile but we were only looking for the monkey statue. Once you get there, you have the most beautiful views of the lake! We hiked about three miles RT and it was worth the climb to get to see the monkey head! read more

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Dog Owner Perspective Yes, this leads to Monkey Head Rock!!l PET FRIENDLY We did this trail twice. Once it was during Veteran Day holiday ( Nov) and the second time was July 4th weekend. What a different! I did not remember that it was strenuous. Apparently, the weather played a big part. It was really enjoyable back in Nov when the temperature was cooler. It was really hot and 1000X tougher in July. My Kokiatso was panting hard. We were hiking with new companies, so, I had to maintain a lady like image. But, whenever they did not see, I panted along with Kokiatso. Once you passed the "entrance fee box", watch out for a trail forks. To your left and really steep wass basically the short cut. If you take the right fork, get ready for slow and painful incline. We did the shortcut back in November and it was fine. We had 2 younger kids this July so, we went with the long way. It's about 1/2 a mile difference. Either way, once you see a very long log and rocks formation to you left, turn left and climb the hill (use google map if you have never been there). Kokiatso is off leashed trained, so, I was comfortable letting her walked on her own. Be prepared with water and feed it to your dog a little bit a time. read more

The Flume Trail - We made it - Bike Rentals Near Me

We went to the Monkey Rock (near Flume Trail or is part of the Flume Trail? I don't know). Start from the left side of Tunnel Creek Café, walk up the road, then along a dirt path (parallel to the Tahoe East Shore walking path), after around 12-15 minutes, it will fork off to two paths (left side is steeper but still easy, right side has one longer switchback), then the peak is on the top. Monkey Rock is off to the right side (if you are facing the Lake). read more

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Flume Trail. Probably one of my most favorite hikes yet. It was very smokey when we started the hike, but the skies cleared up as we were making our way back. *Note* This review will also double as a brief instruction guide to Monkey Rock. As with many landmarks I believe a good portion of the experience is the adventure itself, followed by the reward of reaching that landmark! Certain landmarks shouldn't be geotagged, and that's my personal belief. Now, your starting point should be Tunnel Creek Cafe. The path itself is pretty linear; you'll pass a small shop where you can rent mountain bikes and eventually a self-pay toll to help maintain the hiking trail(s). I advise to just enjoy the views. Bikers will be occasionally passing by from both directions so just be weary of them. While looking out, the smoke was pretty heavy and Lake Tahoe looked more like an ocean without the mountain lines. Eventually the path will split. The most leftward path is known as "Death Hill". Don't let the name deter you; it is steep, but not too difficult. Take it from a guy that is out of shape. If hills aren't your thing, the right path is a more mellow choice. Both will eventually meet up to continue the trail. At this point, this is where the adventure really began for my room mate and I. We were only using Google images of Monkey Rock to see where it could be. I'll continue the guide, but in a nutshell, my room mate and I continued on the trail only to backtrack because we went too far. If Monkey Rock isn't your destination, continue onward on this trail for more spectacular views of the mountainsides that overlook the lake. Continuing with the guide, once Death Hill and the right path meet up, you will want to immediately venture off the path to the left. The instructions will become a bit vague, but use some Google Images to make the most sense of where Monkey Rock should be. You'll want to venture to a point where Monkey Rock will have a clearing that overlooks a cove/beach without any trees obstructing its view. You'll reach a couple of giant rock structures (I will provide pictures), and Monkey Rock should be to the right! Congratulations! You have found Monkey Rock! Take this time to enjoy Lake Tahoe. This should one of the clearest points since it overlooks the tree line. With our mission a success, we headed back down from where we came and we noticed that the skies had cleared up a bit! As I mentioned before, Flume Trail has become one of my most favorite hikes. The adventure of locating Monkey Rock was very rewarding. The views we experienced were breathtaking even with the smoke. The best part? There is the Tunnel Creek Cafe waiting for you at the bottom if you worked up an appetite or need some refreshments! Whether you're trying to find Monkey Rock yourself or wanting a beautiful adventure to experience, I highly recommend Flume Trail! read more

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Looking to do some leaf peeping and get a hike in, my husband and I accomplished our mission possible today here at Incline Flume Trail. It's basically a flat trek that is very popular with mountain bikers as well as trail runners. There are narrow spots so be prepared to move to the side to let the bikers through. Gorgeous fall colors right now with the trees and you get views of Lake Tahoe, too. The trail goes for miles so you can just turn around whenever you've had your fill of nature. Leave no trace! read more

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We hiked the Flume Trail located in the Incline Village section. The trail head is next to the Flume Restaurant and bike rentals. Parking in the lot is limited so I suggest you to get there early because it fills up quickly. You pay for the parking through a paid parking kiosk which charges about $4.00 per hour to park. You take the trail with a slight ascent to a little box that requires you to pay $2.00 per person entry fee (cash only) that you place in an envelope and put in a slot in a metal box. Honor System. I think residents of Nevada are free. The trail is dog friendly but must be on leash. It was hot when we started the hike at about 9:00am. We took the long trail which was approximately 3.1 miles which consisted of gravel rock trail which ascents throughout the trail so I would rank it as moderate. There is some shady areas and benches to rest along the way. No restrooms or water stations on the trail. Bring plenty of water. Nice view of lake along the trail. Top of the trail has very good view of lake. We walked to the Monkey Rock on the way back which is a remarkable stone carved figure of a "gorilla head" which is a great photo opportunity. Not too crowded there when we were there. The other option is taking the trail directly to Monkey Rock which is about a 1.5 mile hike. Strongly recommend this hike. read more

Epic. The tool would not let me post with a single word review so I am writing this filler. Nothing more to say than EPIC. See photos if that helps. read more

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I can't describe the high I got at the top of the trail. When I got to Monkey Rock, I felt liberation as the world shelters in place. Swinging above Tahoe has to be one of the best feelings to date. The incline to get to the top had me gasping for air and a water break a few times, but it was worth every step. Ended up saving a dog on the way down and finishing with a mimosa at the cafe. If you are in Tahoe and want to feed your soul with a hike that all walks of life and shape can do, take your time and embrace the beauty of this hike- you won't be sorry. read more

The Flume Trail - Bike Rentals Near Me

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One of our favorite hikes in Tahoe. Parking is easy and metered, there is a great restaurant at the trail head but they do not sell water. They do have a fountain,though. Do not park in their lot, you will be towed. The trailhead is easy to find and the trail is clean and well maintained. There is a fee box about .5 miles in, bring cash and hold on to your receipt, rangers do randomly check. Two trails to the top and one is very steep, it's also a scramble and the first left up the mountain side. Definitely a great work out to the top. The other is more like switchbacks but both take about the same time, give or take. If you're going to see Monkey Rock, it's not clearly visible. From the steep trail, when you arrive to the dividers at the top, make a sharp left and take it to the end. Look to your right and then down. If you're taking the other trail, you'll come upon the dividers straight ahead , keep going straight and then same directions as above. The top is beautiful with views of the lake and the famous Monkey Rock. Bring a hat, water and wear sunscreen, there is no shade. Enjoy! read more

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Start by going to Monkey Rock which is an approx 1 mile steep incline hike that will take 30 minutes one way. We went the 2nd week of August and got really lucky with the weather being in the 70s. Mid morning hike was kind of hot but still very pleasant. You will eventually run into trail forks: Left very steep short cut or if you have smaller children, take the right fork that will get you there 5-10 minutes later but less steep. Once you get to the top, you will find the monkey rock on the right side. On our return back down we did take the steep hill and it was very manageable. Instead of going all the way back to the parking lot to start the east shore bike trail to Hidden beach, you can find side trails that takes you there in 5-10 minutes. Enjoy the scenery and play in the water. For both hikes, we spent approx. 3 hours total. read more

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I'm not one of those turbo-charged mountain bikers willing to risk life and limb to do the entire Flume Trail. But I am one of those people who love the Flume Trail starting at THE END of the trail at the Incline Village side. If you come before or after the Tunnel Creek Cafe is open / closed, you're allowed to park in their lot (I asked the owner). Then start walking the trail from here, even if you go for just 30 minutes or so - what a great hike at sunset with the dog! The views are spectacular, it's dog friendly (at the start of the trail, doggie bags are even provided so NO EXCUSES; please pick up your dog's poop and for the love of god, don't just bag it and leave it on the side of the trail). The first 30 minutes or so is pretty easy and then it starts to climb. If you are hiking not biking the trail, I suggest coming very early or late in the day to avoid getting run over. One of my favorite things is grabbing a hot chocolate at the cafe on a mild Sunday winter morning and heading up the trail with my dog. It's why you live in Tahoe, people! read more

The Flume Trail - Early morning dog hike. Not a single soul around, especially in the winter. - Bike Rentals Near Me

We rode the Flume Trail starting from Spooner Lake (7,000 ft). Spooner Lake State Park is off Rt 28, which is off Rt 50 on Nevada side. You'll need to pay the park entrance fee, but you can park your car and use the facilities, go to Trail head store and so on. The park is quite nice. As other yelpers noted, first off there is about 4-5 miles grinding up hills to the Marlette Lake (7,823 ft). In the beginning it is a slow climb but from the mid point on, the climb was pretty steep. I totally felt the thin air as I am used to ride around the bay area. At Marlette lake you can rest or even fish there (NV fishing license required). Ride around the south side of the Marlette lake and you are off to the single trail, what everyone says the "scary" but beautiful scenery ride for about 4.5 miles. It was a really clear day so we were able to see the other side of Lake Tahoe. Very beautiful but it IS scary especially when you are passing fellow bikers on this skinny trail. Some up and downs on this section, but no grinding hills like the beginning of the trail. When you get to the Twin Lakes area, you can rest a little to get ready for the steep but enjoyable down hill. If you have some strength left, the trail up to the Twin Lakes is only couple miles. In about 3 miles you'll get to the end of the trail and out of the State park, suddenly to the residential area. Continue on down the paved road, and on the left side there is the Tunnel Creek shuttle pick up station where you can haul your bike and ride back to the Spooner Lake. I am not that experienced rider, but I was able to manage completing this trail with my husband who is very experienced with mountain biking. Some areas are technical, there are many spots where you need to be careful not to slip off the cliff or wipe out or slip off rocks and sand. If you are not too experienced rider I'd recommend to ride with someone who have more experiences. Or you can also hike this trail and find out if you want to ride or not. I really enjoyed this trail as it was challenging but there's this great reward of the scenic view of the Lake Tahoe. You can ride/hike backwards from the way we've rode this trail. Park off the street at the shuttle station on Rt 28 and end at the Spooner Lake. I am not sure about the shuttle service from Spooner Lake to the Creek Station though... I am not sure which way is better or easier, but this trail is worth trying at least once. read more

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When Homie asks if I want to go to Tahoe totally last minute, I had 30 minutes to pack the necessities not thinking what this trip really entailed. He says, we're going mountain biking and in my head, I'm like awesome! We'll stroll through a few dirt roads, maybe see a small lake, stop for a light snack and pictures... little did I know. 1) This is a 14mi trail. It's been years since I've biked and although the first 4 miles aren't too steep, its gradual incline under the heat on the dirt will surely knock the wind out of you 2) My group was a little more advanced than me with their clip on shoes but I survived with a pair of converses. I would recommend wearing biking shorts for that extra padding cuz trust me, you're going to feel it the next day 3) There's a beautiful secluded lake at the top so just keep that in mind if you decide to bike/hike up this trail. The water is clean and not too cold, bearable for a swimming lesson from the homies 4) The trail can get super narrow and rocky so make sure you know what you're doing but if you don't, have fun anyway and don't be afraid of falling off the cliff. People are biking from both directions which means the path can get super tight; we saw a girl slide off the cliff but luckily she caught herself before falling any lower; common courtesy is welcomed 5) There are a few stops with amazing views of the lake. I recommend bringing snacks and LOTS of water and chilling somewhere to take in the breathtaking view of the lake 6) The first 4 miles were a struggle and the last 10 were a bit nerve wrecking but so worth the view and the workout Honestly, I wasn't expecting to bike for 14 miles but sometimes, the unexpected spontaneous events are the most memorable. We finished in about 4 hours, stopping for breaks and a quick swim, and already the group is talking about doing the same ride but different route another time. read more

"This is beautiful..." I said, over... and over... and over again. If you got a penny for everytime I said the word "beautiful" while hiking this trail, you'd probably have at least $10. Pretty good if you ask me. HOW WE GOT THERE: We started the hike from Tunnel Creek Road in Incline Village. This is the opposite way that the bikers go. Set your Google maps GPS to Tunnel Creek Cafe. That's where the trail head is, and you can park your car along the freeway. THE TRAIL: For the first couple miles of the hike, you are actually going to be on Tunnel Creek Road, before you hit the actual Flume Trail. The trail is well-maintained, since this is a very popular mountain biking trail. There are some great vista spots on Tunnel Creek Road, but also constant incline, which may be difficult for your average out of shape joe. It will be a strenuous and great work out! We didn't even hike the whole flume trail; we went up slowly and steadily which took us about 3 and a half hours. We stopped at a random point (probably about 20-30 minutes after the start of the official Flume trail) and going back only took us about 1.5 hours. With that being said, watch out for super fast mountain bikers! I seriously admire their audacity, because there's definitely some sections of the trail that are super narrow, and just a wrong swivel of your tire can send you pummeling down the mountain. Just stand aside when you see/hear them coming in front of you, and everyone is always extremely cordial and grateful about it. If you're hiking the trail and not worried for your life, like I did, you can stop and enjoy the views. Oh my gosh... the views. are. breathtaking!! You can see the snow capped mountains in the distance, the beautiful and expansive Lake Tahoe with it's clear blue waters, and the dense, lush evergreens that will surround you. It was truly magical, and nothing on my camera captured the beauty that was on this trail. Bring water and some snacks for nourishment. This is hands down my favorite hiking trail of all time. read more

The Flume Trail - Amazing views. - Bike Rentals Near Me

This review is for the Marlette Lake hiking trail. I parked at the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park - http://parks.nv.gov/parks/marlette-hobart-backcountry/. Parking was $10. Once there, you can do Spooner Lake or the Marlette Lake Trail or others. We did Marlette Lake hiking trail from the parking lot. It is about 5 miles each way. The trail itself is very smooth and well maintained, however be ready for some steady incline, nothing crazy but it definitely will work you out. It took us about 4 hours round trip with a steady pace, If you are a fast walker I would give it 3 hours. We made the mistake of not packing a lunch, pack a lunch and picnic when you get to the lake, you wont regret it. I posted some photos of the trail and the lake. Happy Hiking! read more

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When you're brave enough to take on the strenuous 13 mile Flume Biking Trail, there will be two questions that will interchange in your mind. 1) Why did I agree to do this? 2) Is there anything more beautiful? The first 5 miles will be a steep, uphill battle with your body and mind. Your calves will burn, your lungs will shred, and every cell in your body will scream for oxygen. If you could make it past that, the majority of the ride will be downhill and ridiculously fun. My tips: 1)Rent your bikes at Spooner Summit for they're most affordable. 2)Conserve your water 3)Bring snacks, energy bars 4)Wear a hat 5)Bring sunscreen and sunglasses 6) Bring a camera because those views overlooking the lake and mountain are second to none 7) Biking along the mountain ledges is exciting, but can be frightening too since bikers are going in opposite ways 8) When you approach gravel or sand, SLOW DOWN. They can dangerously lead your bike off course and make you crash 9)Bring $10 cash to park your car 10) Be careful when you stop to take pictures. Bikers are behind you. ---- Conclusion: This trail is NOT for beginners. I couldn't help but feel some resentment towards the employees at Spooner Bike Rentals for saying that this trail could be done by anyone. I consider myself a fit male too and struggled mightily. My group and I finished in 4 hours. It'll require effort, persistence, and determination to complete, but once you get past the worst of it (5-6 miles in), You'll then be rewarded with some grandiose views that are awe-inspiring and gorgeous. I LOVED the downhill rides too--they were exhilarating. There are also premium spots for pictures, but be mindful of bikers behind you. Extra Notes: -Make sure to bring some snacks! -Shuttle is clean and offers water -I spotted one restroom on the trail and it was disgustingly filthy, beware. read more

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Super technical trail with great views. Single track most of the way: rocky cliff to your right and edge of mountain to your left -- pick your poison! I'd say give it try if you're a strong intermediate to advanced rider. Any trouble riding a straight line, avoid this trail because once you're there, it's difficult to turn back. From the get it's a 4-5 mile long climb to the lake. Demanding is an understatement. You bike around a lake and then cross a dam. Afterwards it's a steady 4 miles at about 8000 feet elevation around the edge of the mountain (scary part for me). Then you descend straight down for 2-3 miles with a loss of 1100 elevation. Pretty steep and the terrain ranged from gravel, rocky, to sandy. It was slippery and if you're not used to sand, it takes a couple of times feeling your back tire drift. If you reach the end by 5p, you can take the shuttle service. We opted to get picked up my friends because we didn't finish until past 5p. Bring a map, GPS, lotsa water, and power bars. I definitely bit off more than I could chew in choosing this trail, but it's worth it for skilled mountain bikers. BF is a great rider and he really enjoyed it. I had to walk a large part of the trail after a pretty bad fall that traumatized me. Now I've hiked to Machu Picchu and bungy jumped off Vic Falls, but the elevation here shook me. Tooks us a good 6 hours to finish it because of my slow scared behind. read more

This is a beautiful but INTENSE trail. I'd like to think I'm 'ok' on the range of athleticism since I regularly bike about 10 miles and run a little bit. So... I thought it wouldn't be so bad to bike 14 miles. This will KICK YOUR BUTT. It sorely kicked my butt. Onto the trail: -First 4 miles up going up to 1000 feet in elevation. I repeatedly wanted to quit and sit down because I was so tired and winded just walking uphill, I could hardly bike uphill. My group and I stopped quite often since we were just so tired. -Top of the hill - oh JOY! We made it! It's a pretty level field starting at this point - but be warned, there are times when it slopes quite steeply before you get to the lake. Be prepared and make sure your brake works well and go SLOW. I went down too fast here but managed to stay on. -Lake - Beautiful! A good reward for making the trek. -Biking around the mountain. Here is where it gets very scary - imagine a foot wide or so of actual bike path - to your right is rocks which you don't want to hit, and to your left is the edge of the cliff which you don't want to fall down into. So... take your time and be careful. I was very slow since I was nervous going around here, but the views ( when you do take a break) are unbelievable. -Downhill - The last few miles are pure downhill in the sandy areas. USE YOUR BRAKES and GO DOWN SLOWLY. I barreled down a section of this area and it was terrifying. You'll have to be careful not to flop off your bike and make sure to try to avoid skidding in the sandy areas. I'm perpetually surprised in myself that I managed to survive this because this trail is TOUGH. But, you'll be happy and proud of yourself that you did. The views are amazing and you can't beat the feeling knowing that you biked a mountain! read more

Wow this is an intense trail! Not for the leisurely bike ride or the urban cyclist. It is very technical! A lot of walking up hill for the first hour and 1/2. The incline was at a 8 grade on average. We were wondering when are we going to stop walking and start riding? Someone lied and said it was 1,000 feet of uphill, um more like 3 or 4 miles! Once we started to actually ride, we were still doing more uphill grades. We saw a pretty lake and then the trail was pretty easy. When we finally got around to seeing Lake Tahoe itself, the view was spectacular. Sand Harbor was by far the best view. Though you have to be careful. The path is up to 4 feet wide and the sand can be very slippery. The hills going down are constant so you will grip your brakes and slide like a banana peel if you aren't a highly skilled mountain biker. My hands were in pain and I got a little frustrated. I like more leisurely rides. I had no idea what I got myself into. In the end, the workout and the view was worth it! Not sure I'd do it again, unless I had a very expensive bike that could handle that sand! It's pretty tiring. Best to go if you are in excellent shape! Panoramic views everywhere. Your camera will love you! Note: Take T.P., Camera, Water and tons of snacks! Watch yourself on the edges, you could go over and fall hundreds of feet down. Go with friends or a buddy! It was a gorgeous ride! read more

Awesome trail with views to die for once the trail gets Lake front. I opted to hike instead of MTB, the entrance is right next to the tunnel Creek cafe. Most of the incline is on this road, according to my elevation app, the gain was around 1500' till you hit flume trail. I can't imagine how hard it would be to bike up tunnel Creek road. Flume trail is pretty much flat but super narrow in some places and if you're hiking always look behind you to let bikers pass through. The views of sand harbor is awesome from up there. read more

The Flume Trail - Bike Rentals Near Me

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I don't know if I can add much to what others have said. I've heard that it's the most beautiful bike ride to be had. It did not disappoint. I wish I would have worn a little more insect repellant. The mosquitos were out in force at around 9am. Also, my sneakers were soaked halfway through. I should have brought some dry shoes to change into when I was done riding. There is a fee for the parking area at Spooner Lake. I am not an experienced mountain biker. I do stay fit, however. This was my first time on the Flume trail and although I had to walk my bike on some of the uphills (my lungs are a weak point) I had a wonderful time and the technical stuff wasn't Twilight Zone scary. Allow 2.5 hours for a one-way trip. I'm sure this varies widely. read more

Im going to give this 4 stars so people ACTUALLY read the and use it as a quick guide. Flume trail is NOT for beginners and the beginning of the hike will show that to you quickly. Dont get me wrong, its beautiful, its strenuous, the first time you do it, you'll cuss your self for the first 10 miles. 13.6 miles total (from the Fume trail bike shop) we got dropped off at Spooner lake. Mile 1 - nice smooth up hill. Mile 2 - a little steeper and might need to get off to push the bike. Mile 3 - get off the bike and push the two wheeler because Gravity and lack of air will get your panting like an over worked puppy. MIle 4 is nice down hill to the first lake and its beautiful around the upper lake. Mile 5 takes you around the lake some more and then by the dam. Mile 6-9 - scariest moments of my life. I felt like I was going to fall off 7000 ft - the trail is narrow. MIle 10 - REDEMPTION and the start down. MIle 10-13 - a nice down hill ride to the parking lot. Hardest parts - mile 2-4 and 6-9. Safe riding read more

We hiked what I believe is the flume trail. But we didn't start in Glenbrook. We started at the tunnel creek cafe. This was one of the best hikes of my life! I've done many spectacular hikes all around the world. But this was by far one of the best. The hike was both challenging and rewarding with amazing views! We hiked about 3 miles each way. The way up was very challenging and steep! With look out stops along the way about every 1/8th to 1/4th mile. We saw some amazing views of the lake and mountains, beautiful tall pines, cedars, etc. and some beautiful manzanitas and some awesome huge boulders. My favorite part of the hike was seeing the Bigfoot rock. And my second favorite part was when we got up near the top where the trail was covered in snow. Because there were no more people on the trail and it felt like we had the whole world to ourselves!!! We came across an awesome sign that explained why it's called the flume trail. I really enjoyed this informative sign. It took us 2 hrs to hike up and only an hour to hike back. I am looking forward to doing more hikes around the Tahoe area!!! read more

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I pedaled the section from the Spooner Lake Trailhead to Marlette Lake and back to Spooner; simply too exhausted to do the section from Marlette Lake to Incline Village. Clearly, I must up my training program. But then, at age 88, I'm proud of what I did and realize that time and gravity are hard factors to overcome. I had great admiration for the young bikers who passed me, running their heart rates near the red line; mine tops out at about 135 BPM, so no amount of training will equal the performance of a young person who can do 200 BPM. The Flume is a beautiful trail and Marlette Lake is a gem. I'll be back in September with a 2 month training program under my belt and eternal hope that I will do better. read more

Certainly one of the most jaw-dropping scenic trails at Lake Tahoe, it's a ride on many people's bucket lists. As stated by others, it's not an easy trail to ride (or to hike), but that never seems to deter the hordes of folks we see here starting the climb to Marlette Lake in the heat of the day. A few tips if you're going to ride this: 1. Start early. You'd be surprised how much easier it is to ride uphill when it's under 80 degrees. 10 am start = painful climb 2. It's typically less sandy earlier in the summer, or in the autumn when it's rained. 3. If you're planning on doing the loop ride to/from Lake Tahoe State Park (22 miles), consider riding counter clockwise (i.e. right when you hit Marlette Lake). This way you get the climbing over with, and can enjoy a really fun single track downhill. (Plus you can freak out everyone riding the Flume trail the traditional way...) 4. If you're not riding the loop, pay the $10 for the shuttle and do it as a one way. Your lungs will thank you later. Finally, if it's your first time mountain biking, you're probably better off hiking this trail. Less anxiety, more time to savor the views. read more

This is my first official mountain bike ride I've done in the Lake Tahoe area, and one of my favorite rides ever. I rode with Vince V. and Rey M. This ride isn't for the weak-hearted. Not saying you need to be an expert rider, but you'll want to make sure you're generally in good shape. Right off the bat, you're looking at a 4-5 mile progressive climb. Combined with the heat and altitude, it is very demanding on stamina and cardio vascular endurance. Make sure you conserve your energy well, if you run out of gas early on, that's not a good sign. Once you conquer the uphill challenge, the ride goes relatively flat, varying from short climbs and quick declines for the next 6-7 miles. You'll find an occasional rock farm or two, but there's nothing terribly technical beyond some tight single trek at the top. At this point, you have a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe. It's dizzying to look down from the top but you'll quickly realize what you rode uphill for. If you're afraid of heights, this may not be the place for you. Be sure to bring your camera because the scenery is gorgeous. In addition, there are trail spots where you're required to walk your bike because you could potentially tumble off the mountain. Somewhere in all this you'll find the landmark that calls this place, "Flume Trail." It's a stone made furnace that is prominently located in the midst of the trail near the lake. Now comes the fun part. The decent! It's a relatively wide open fire trail with a hand full of turns and moguls. You will drop over 1000 feet within the span of 2 miles so it's fast. On the open trail, you could easily hit upwards of 40 MPH if you pedal hard enough and not tap your breaks. Careful on the turns, there are some spots that are plagued with loose sand. If you're new to riding on sand at high speeds, you can easily lose control of your bike. You'll get the feeling of slipping and surfing if you're going fast. At the end of the trail, there is a shuttle service that will take you back to the trail head where you began. I believe it costs no more than $15. You can opt out of this shuttle service and ride for another ten or fifteen miles. We opted for the shuttle service and agreed to come back to do the full trail. read more

With 5 reviews addressing this trail as a mountain biker's destination, it's worth chiming in to say this trail is quite enjoyable even if you're on foot, and perhaps even more so. I have no idea how bikers climb 3 miles and then navigate the "payoff" portion of this trail, the slightly narrow/rocky stretch that practically floats above a panoramic view of the lake, but on foot, it's quite doable and VERY rewarding once you survive the climb. The best view of the lake? Maybe, maybe not. But if not, it's gotta be pretty close. read more

This is it! If you are looking for the best mountain bike ride in the United States. The views of lake Tahoe are outstanding. Technically, I'd say this is an intermediate ride. The trail is in very good condition and the whole thing is ridable if you're somewhat competent on a mountain bike. As the earlier reviewer stated there are sandy spots on the downhill which you should be careful of. If you're in halfway decent shape this should be a manageable and fun ride. You start out on one of those hills that seems easy, but then gets progressively harder, the last 250 yards are difficult. But after that it is basically flat and downhill. For beginner and intermediate riders the shuttle option is the way to go. For more advanced and expert riders (which I'm not) there are a couple great options which extend the ride and negate the need for the shuttle. A map and plenty of water are nice things to have. read more

What can you say about this breathtakingly beautiful ride except that it's so worth the hard labor climbing from Spooner Lake to reach Marlette Lake! You will take in all the beauty of a pristine alpine lake and then enjoy the fun and exhilarating ride that awaits you as cruise down the single track of The Flume Trail that sits on the cliff overlooking the most beautiful views of Lake Tahoe. The trail by itself is very beautiful, boulders and evergreens surrounding you, even without the views of the lake. I would suggest you be careful on this trail as there are sandy patches in very precarious sections. A hard climb but then a goldmine of a ride! read more

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This time around, the trail condition was optimum due to recent rain. The sandy section back to the cafe felt like concrete and climbing it going south to spooner was easier than my first time. May 24, 1015 read more

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An amateur's guide to the flume trail: And by amateur I mean I have NEVER been mountain biking before, but for some reason my fiance and I decided to try the flume trail. We heard the views were some of the best and wanted something challenging. We are in our late 20's and in decent shape. We don't bike but run 3-5 miles several times a week. Bottom line, if you are in fairly good shape you can do this trail, even if you don't bike. You will be exhausted at the end but it is doable. We rented bikes from Flume Mountain Bikes in Incline Village. The bikes were 35$ ish for the day and seemed like quality mountain bikes. I think they were the cheapest ones available but were more than suitable. They seemed in great condition. It took us about 4 hours to complete the 15 miles. Most people say allow 2-4 hours but we stopped often to rest and take pictures. Take lots of water, snacks, and a camera. There are a few restrooms on the 15 mile trek, maybe 2, but no running water. For iphone carriers i'd recommend using endomondo, it's very helpful tracking how far you've gone. The trail is in good condition and well marked. Once you get into the park you have about 4 miles of very steep uphill riding. Some parts are steep enough that we had to walk, especially the last mile or so which is the hardest part and very challenging. The entire climb is made difficult because of the sand and altitude, it is much more difficult than riding on pavement. The good news is after you make it to the top of the first 4-4.5 miles the rest isn't challenging aerobically. You go down a fairly steep grade for about .75 of a mile before you reach Marlette Lake. This part of the ride (going around Marlette Lake) was really enjoyable. The road is wide and the lake is beautiful. The views aren't like the Flume Trail itself but it's enjoyable because you can relax without a ledge a foot to one side. Going around Marlette like is about a mile I'd guess, maybe a bit more. After this you reach the sign for the Historic Flume Trail. A friendly warning, the beginning (first 50 feet past the sign) is not navigable for inexperienced riders. Pick up your bike and walk it. My fiance learned the hard way. The Flume Trail itself is amazing but a little nervewracking. The trail is sometimes narrow, maybe a foot or two wide. To one side is mountain going up, and to the other is a sharp drop. The cliffs are steep and no joke, I'd recommend getting off and walking the bike if you're not comfortable. We did maybe once or twice. There are also a few times where you have to be able to get your bike through narrow openings, but for the most part the bike trail itself is in good condition and not too challenging. Also its best to get off your bike if there are other riders coming the opposite way. The trail itself is maybe around 5 miles. It's enjoyable and the views are worth it!!! The ride itself is not physically challenging, the only part that is concerning is the drop. Once you finish the Flume Trail follow signs for highway 28 and youll start a 2.5-3 mile downhill. This part of the trail wasn't very enjoyable because we are not experienced bikers. It is steep, there are occasional boulders/drops/roots in the middle of the path, and it is very sandy. It is easy to fishtail the back of your bike. We made it down with no issues but you have to be on your brake the entireee way down. At the very end (maybe 3-5 minutes left) you get to a fork with a sign for highway 28 or incline village. Ask the people at Flume Mountain bikes if the gate to Incline Village is closed. It was closed when we went but you are supposed to go down this path anyway (which we didn't so we ended up on highway 28 and had to bike a mile back to where we started). Overall, we are realy glad we did the Flume Trail. It was an adventure and a great workout. Everyone you meet on the trail is so nice and helpful. There will be many people who ride it regularly and they are more than willing to help out. The info and advice is very helpful for people that are unsure what they're doing! Beginning bike riders can do the trail but allow a bit of time and enjoy it!!! read more

Wowser!!!! My hubby said if he had known what "moderate" meant on this trail he wouldn't have had me on it. That being said after he dragged me up the first four miles (yes, I walked a lot of it ;0) and after a tragi-comic (caught on video-damn those disc brakes) fall going around the lake, and a few hyper-ventilations later I was feeling...great! (Literally) Breathtaking views and hairpin (climb up on rock to let the crazy people fly past you) turns. I did great, he did great and we had a blast looking down at Sand Harbor Beach where we were going to the Shakespeare on the Lake that very night! So much fun and even if you're a novice trail rider (I am that), you can get through it and enjoy this ride! Huge tip! Slow down before you get to the granite gravel (near the end) so you don't go down. I didn't, but someone else did and it looked harsh. read more

I've heard a lot about this trail so I packed some fruit and cliff bars and about a gallon of water and pretty much had the best day on a bike, ever. EPIC views of Tahoe from the top. The 4 mile uphill grind was worth it. Since I just picked up a job in Incline, I'll be back for sure. I heard Fall was awesome. The sandy downhill track can feel sketchy when you're bombing in the summer, so Fall should be more firm, especially after rain. read more

Still the most memorable ride I've ever taken. I'm an intermediate MB'er and was on a too-squirrely Specialized Expert for this ride and that narrow, rocky and sandy rim trail kept my adrenalin level high (yeah I was scared, but thrilled by the challenge and the view).The ride up from Spooner Lake parking lot is a challenge, especially if your lungs are not conditioned to altitude. I was able to do it, though, without walking (age 60 at the time). If you go with plenty of water, food and a no-rush-let's take our time and enjoy it attitude, I can promise you something you'll not soon forget! read more

Only about the best trail I've ever been on. The bike riding is actually failry easy but you can't be afraid of heights. It takes me, an older advanced but in moderate shape rider, about 1 hour to get to the pass from Spooner summit state park. From there, i's about another 30 min around Marlette lake, then you are on the Flume trail. That is the most beautiful trail ever with breathtaking views of Tahoe most of the way. Do it as an out and back or do a shuttle with the Flume Trail bike rental. Don't miss this one if you are visiting the area! read more

I very rarely give bad reviews but feel the need to share my experience. The cafe next door is under construction and the bike rentals are on the hillside through the construction site. There is no signage or direction as to where to go on the road or on their website. Also, on their website it says that the shuttle is free with bike rental, NOT the case! They will hit you up for another $18 when you arrive and say "we need to update our website." The website also says that you can purchase bagged lunches from the cafe next door which apparently has not been open for over a year. The check in process was completely disorganized and when I finally received my bike it was not tuned, did not have a spare tube or air pump on it. The person I rode with purchase a flexible water bottle there and it leaked down his back the entire ride. All that being said, the bikes were nice and the riding experience was incredible! Just don't expect good customer service. read more

As a local, I didn't get a chance to ride the flume trail until last summer. Man I have been missing out! This has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the trail does not skimp on views. Don't let the pictures scare you away. Its not as bad as it looks. You can always walk your bike on the parts you don't feel comfortable with. Its not a technical trail, what makes it difficult is the 4 mile climb to get to the trail if you start from Spooner Lake. But you pass some awesome scenery along the climb, especially at the top when you get to Marlette lake. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and don't forget your camera! Trail takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on how much you stop to rest and take pictures. And theres an awesome beach to jump in the lake at the end of the ride. read more

This is a gorgeous trail hiking or biking. I have biked this trail numerous times as I use to live in South Lake Tahoe. For Mt. Biking it IS a fairly long tough uphill start either direction unless you ride hills often. From Spooner Lake it is about 4 miles of 1000' of climbing, steepest the last 1/2 mile or 3 miles from Tunnel Creek Cafe climbing 1500'. BUT, the best and my favorite ride is to take the shuttle from Tunnel Creek Cafe in the morning to Tahoe Meadows near Mt. Rose, ride mostly downhill on the Tahoe Rim Trail(TRT), connect up to the Flume Trail, up towards Marlette lake, and either turn around and ride down Tunnel Creek or about a mile up hill to connect up to the somewhat steep Marlette Creek trail and finish on Hwy. 28 back to Tunnel Creek. The TRT Tahoe Meadows Trail is an intermediate MTB trail. It does have some 1-2 ft. rock drops but you can see them in plenty of time to dismount and walk if you want. I have done this on a hardtail mt. bike but it is much better with full suspension. Flume trail itself is a beginner's trail with 1 small section to walk due to a rock slide, and possibly another, skill-dependent, near Marlette Lake. It is narrow, has a steep dropoff to the lakeside, be careful--stop if you want to gawk. I would allow 4 to 8 hours for plenty of sightseeing and maybe lunch to do TRT through Flume and back to Tunnel Creek Cafe. You can get a great lunch and/or a cold beer if you want at the cafe. Lookup Flume Trail Bikes for all the shuttle and trail info, they rent some very nice, well maintained mountain bikes! read more

The Flume Trail - On the Flume Trail on a gorgeous day overlooking a calm Lake Tahoe! - Bike Rentals Near Me

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