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Flume Trail Mountain Bike Trail
Incline Village, Nevada
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
15 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 11/15/10 by tarvisg |
Difficulty:  Beginner |
| Length: 14 miles | Global Rank: #960 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 123 | Wishlist: 45 |
| Avg. Speed: 6.2 mph | Avg. Time: 3hr 23min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,334/-1,968 ft |
Directions
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Description: Follow signs in the parking lot to the trailhead. Start a 1000+ ft climb on fireroad then descend to the lake. Take a left around the perimeter of the lake until you come to the Flume trail trailhead. The trail is mostly singletrack with sparse technical sections, but overall an easy ride on the mountain ridge overlooking Spooner Lake. The views are spectacular. At the 10 mile mark, you can connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail to head back to the parking lot or follow the signs to the shuttle bus. The shuttle will take you back to the parking lot for $12.50 or you may opt for a gradual climb of 8 miles on the road back to the park for free.
To view directions to Flume Trail mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description: Follow signs in the parking lot to the trailhead. Start a 1000+ ft climb on fireroad then descend to the lake. Take a left around the perimeter of the lake until you come to the Flume trail trailhead. The trail is mostly singletrack with sparse technical sections, but overall an easy ride on the mountain ridge overlooking Spooner Lake. The views are spectacular. At the 10 mile mark, you can connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail to head back to the parking lot or follow the signs to the shuttle bus. The shuttle will take you back to the parking lot for $12.50 or you may opt for a gradual climb of 8 miles on the road back to the park for free.
added on October 11, 2003 by 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by bioadam on August 3, 2011
Great ride, probably the best non-technical ride Ive ever done. Fantastic views of the lake, and good bit of climbing to start and some sketchy, sandy downhill to finish. Be sure to take the shuttle back, and take care on the Flume Trail proper, lest you cannonball off the edge and become a permanent fixture.
reviewed by penaala on August 29, 2010
Abegold hit it spot on. No technical, but the views are spectacular. Hard to keep your eyes on the trail! a must ride.
reviewed by abegold on April 1, 2010
This trails about views. It's a wide dirt road so almost no tech.
Similar Trail: Tahoe Rim Trail
reviewed by Suvacrew on August 6, 2009
First off the trail is in Nevada Not CALI!! I have a home on the East Shore, 5 miles away from Spooner Summit (the start), so I've used this as the preeminent ride to expose visitors from all over the world to the joys of MTBing in Tahoe. Let's describe the Flume as EPIC for view alone. It's not very challenging for technical qualities, the biggest encumbrance to your ride will be wanting to continually pop pictures and take in the views. It's DRY in the sierras so be prepared with plenty of water or at least bring a filter as there is plenty of water sources enroute. The weather can change FAST...afternoon thunderstorms can crank up within a few hours and if your in the backcountry..it can go from 85 degrees to high 50's with hail so fast it'll and have you wondering if there is a god. I'm not a fan of the Tunnel Creek shuttle game..I believe you make it all around under your own power. Start at Spooner...go up Nrth Canyon for 4 miles to the top of the climb and then down to Marlette Lake, then pop down the dam onto the flume. At the North end...don't go left down Tunnel Creek to the Ponderosa..turn right and head into the hills. Several backcountry loops, head up Twin Lakes along the legal portion of the Rim Trail or head out towards Franktown and Red House. You'll have a few more options and you can head even further up and out on Hobart Res or climb Sunflower Hill and descend back to Marlette. Be cool, don't ride the portion of the rim trail that is not legal...it's a tranquil fragile environment. You can tap out 23-36 miles going the back side trails..see some bears and wild life, be out so far that the only sound when you stop is the ringing in your ears, because it's so quiet. The Flume is TOURISTY and can get absolutely clogged with bike traffic on obvious weekends (Mem, 4th, Labor), the back-country is serious and a different animal with limited to no traffic and for good reason......you're a long way from help. No your cell phone won't work out there. The Flume loop up from Tunnel Creek is done counterclockwise for the NV Xterra held there in late Summer/Early Fall every year. * Review edited 8/6/2009* Review edited 8/6/2009
* Review edited 8/7/2009
Similar Trail: Bench Trail that runs from Spooner Summit to Kingsbury Grade also the Descent on the Rim trail from Tahoe Meadows on Mt Rose.
reviewed by AaronofKent on August 6, 2009
The half mile of climbing past Snow Valley is where you become friendly with that shiny little granny gear on your mountain bike. You start the ride at 7000' and climb to 8157' giving you only 1100' to climb so take your time and savor these ascents as they are the only ones you'll do all day. We know you want the full Tahoe mountain bike experience.
At the summit, a quick break under the whispering lodge pole pines quickly dries the sweat and refreshes the soul.
Next a short descent leads to the peaceful, pristine Marlette Lake (pictured). In the fall the colors at Marlette Lake are a site to behold. A mile and a half of riding on the dirt road along the shore of this beautiful lake leads to the incredible Flume Trail.
The Flume Trail is nearly flat, dropping only 40' per mile and is spectacular in its setting. 1600' above the east shore of Lake Tahoe and only a half mile away from the shoreline in places, it is truly one of the the premier trails in the world. Stop often and enjoy the view. Take something to eat and drink for an unforgettable picnic.
At the end of the Flume Trail, there is a 3 mile, 1500' descent down to Highway 28.
The Flume Trail is a moderately difficult ride at 7000' to 8000' feet in elevation with over a 1000' of climbing and 4.5 miles of single track. The Flume Trail itself traverses above several steep sections, so those afraid of heights be forewarned. In this world, most spectacular vistas require traversing steep terrain.
reviewed by tarvisg on September 1, 2008
Fun trail. Make sure to bring some cash to get in the park. The start is a climb for me. Once up its mellow for the most part. The only thing keeping things tough is the sand. The views are great and the drop off is scary. Tunnel Creek road is sandy as always and is a real thrill ride. I recommend taking two cars and shuttling it.
Similar Trail: Tahoe Rim from Mt. Rose to Tunnel Creek
reviewed by Beaker on April 8, 2008
They'll tell you at the Flume Trail Bike shop to do this as a clockwise loop (if you dont do it as a shuttled point-point). Don't listen to them! So it as a CCW loop so you END with the views of the lake. Here is the reason - if you go their recommended way the one downhill you get is on a washed out dirt road and you climb up a winding singletrack. Wouldn't you rather climb the road and descend the singletrack?!?!? The views of the lake are incredible!!!!!!!
Similar Trail: Tahoe Rim Trail
reviewed by ddmiller067 on September 1, 2007
This is an amazingly scenic trail whose primary challenge is a steep climb out of Spooner Lake (3.8mi, 1,100') and sandy trail conditions - particularly on the way down. Cardio is more important here than bike skills. The Flume Trail from Marlette Lake to the junction with the Rim Trail is singletrack. The bracketing trails are essentially dirt roads. There is one steep technical portion just after a hairpin right turn a few hundred yards after the Flume starts. It's easily walkable. Other than this section, average bike handling skills (braking technique, smooth turns in sand) will get you through fine. The trail is rideable under two hours, but plan on closer to three if you have any appreciation of natural beauty. There is one walking section of about 20 yards due to a landslide. The shuttle back to Spooner Lake from Flume Trail Bikes is highly recommended. Check out www.theflumetrail.com. You can rent trail great bikes from them, too.
reviewed by hayshaker on July 23, 2007
This trail does has great views (which make it worth doing once) but it is too sandy for my taste. It felt like it was up hill both ways. After climbing up to the lake I was surprise that I had to peddle downhill the entire length of the trail. The final drop down to the road is fun but has even more sand than the rest of the trail, which makes it technical in that "I hope my front tire doesn't develop a mind of it's own" sort of way, which isn't my favorite.
reviewed by Juan_Gear on October 8, 2006
Ranger will tell you where to park and start trail/ride. 4 mile climb right out of the gate. Last mile is pretty much a wall which can be ridden when damp it tends to be a bit sandy. then a .8 mile downhill to Mariette lake. which is a good place to catch your breath. Head around the west side of the lake for 1.6 miles where the trail ends in water just look to the west you will see the trail (a little splashing). The Flume trail starts here, fun, rolling, slight down hill. Another 4.5 miles is a Wye left is Funnel creek trail 2.6 miles to the Hwy and a $15 dollar shuttle back. Or right for a loop back through the peaks. We climbed the Flume back this is where you notice the sandy soil. Start is at 7000 feet high point is 8500 feet.
reviewed by Valerie on September 8, 2006
You just can't beat the views . Almost the entire trail has beautiful views . Even though we picked a week day there was a lot of traffic on the trail . This trail is in NEVADA not California
* Review edited 6/29/2008
reviewed by dppaladino on April 29, 2005
A overall great trail with some awesome singletrack. The Flume Trail is also acessable from the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Similar Trail: Tahoe Rim Trail
reviewed by Pedro_Carvalho on December 23, 2004
Great views of Lake Tahoe. Don't just ride to end and backtrack. Ride the entire loop.
reviewed by JayBird on August 28, 2004
Technically, this trail is in Nevada, but it's not far from the CA stateline and So. Lake Tahoe casinos. There is a shop at the Spooner Lake trailhead that rents high-quality bikes (and operates the return van), so if you're in the Tahoe area without your bike don't despair. The ride is unique for its incredible views and cliff-hugging trail sections. There's about 900 ft. of climb over 4+ miles, with a few steep sections, a 5 mile very gradual decine on the flume trail itself, and a short but steep drop down a fire road to Lake Tahoe to meet the van. A few rocks to avoid and frequent soft sand. Check the web-site @ www.theflumetrail.com.
