In 1887, more pipelines and flumes were built to tap into Hobart Creek and Marlette Lake, increasing the available water volume to 6.6 million gallons per day. Engineers built a diversion dam and constructed a combination of box flume and pressure pipeline to channel water 2,000 ft. To solve this problem, locals searched for water in the Carson Range and found Franktown Creek (Hobart) flowing into Washoe Lake. Tahoe Flume Trail Historyĭuring the Comstock Lode days-when Virginia City hit one of the biggest silver strikes the world has ever known-the West’s shortage of available water came into stark view, especially with an ever-growing population of miners dotting the hills with campsites. Today, the trail typically becomes snow-free and rideable around Memorial Day, and has several access points with different days designated for mountain biking or foot traffic.Īfraid of heights? Then avoid this famed 4.5-mile singletrack that hugs cliffs 2,500 feet above breathtaking Lake Tahoe-and miss out on what may be the best vistas from just about any mountain biking or hiking trail on Earth. Located in North Lake Tahoe near Incline Village, the Lake Tahoe Flume trail is a singletrack trail carved into steep granite cliffs overlooking Lake Tahoe, which follows the path where wooden square-box flumes once delivered water to Virginia City in the late 1800s. 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.Touted as one of the most spectacular trails in the Lake Tahoe area (if not the world), visitors from around the globe flock to the Flume Trail in Tahoe for unbeatable access to hiking and mountain biking. Jenn Gleckman, who moved to Lake Tahoe in 1999, is a tourism marketer for local agency Strategic Marketing Group. And wear a helmet, naturally.įor general Tahoe area mountain bike trail maps and the latest trail conditions, be sure to visit the Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association’s website.

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. Shuttles, bike rentals, maps and trail information are available from Flume Trail Mountain Bikes. The Flume Trail is snow-free, though the neighboring sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail do still have snow. 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. I’ve been on this trail countless times, and I continue to be awed by the scenery, and continue to force friends to stop while I take yet another photo. We instead climbed up Tunnel Creek Road, and then rode the Flume around Marlette Lake to the Marlette Creek Trail, a super fun 2.7 mile descent back to the car. My friend and I opted for something totally different. They either ride it one way, descending via Tunnel Creek Road and catching a shuttle back, or do it as an out and back ride, retracing their tracks. Most people start from Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, taking the trail out to Marlette Lake and along the singletrack that overlooks the lake. There are a couple of ways to access the Flume Trail, and the surrounding trail network, which includes sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail, means that you can include it in a longer ride. But the views are definitely worth it! Not a mountain biker? The Flume is also open to hikers.

While not a super technical trail, it should be noted that the Flume does have some exposure and crosses a few steep sections. The trail, ranging between 70 feet in elevation, boast some truly amazing panoramas of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The Flume Trail sits on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. So last weekend was a perfect time to do some recon on the Flume Trail, one of Tahoe’s mountain biking gems that also happens to be one of my favorite rides. An early start to spring means that many of the Lake Tahoe mountain bike trails are melting out faster than they typically do.