Tahoe Rim Trail - Mt. Rose to Tunnel Creek Road Segment (eastern Lake Tahoe)

OTE Ratings: O8/T6/E7
Distance: 16 miles (8 miles each-way)
Time: 3 hours
Climbing: 1000 feet (but at 8000-9000' elevation)
USGS 7.5' topo: Mount Rose, NV; Marlette Lake, NV

Description

A beautiful alpine trail, with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Washoe Valley. Compared to several other trails in the Lake Tahoe area, this trail is not especially technical, but because you'll be riding at between 8000 and 9000' elevation, you are guaranteed to get a good workout. The trail can be ridden as an out-and-back, or, with a shuttle, combined with the nearby Flume Trail.

Important Note

This trail has a rotating usage policy, and is open to bicycles on even-numbered days of the month only. Please respect this policy, as it increases our chances of getting access to other nearby trails that are currently closed to mountain bikes.

Directions to the start

(N 39.30793°, W 119.90799°)
From northern Lake Tahoe, take the Mount Rose Highway (highway 431) eastwards (towards Mt. Rose). Shortly before the summit, you'll see a parking area for the "Tahoe Meadows" (Tahoe Rim Trail) trailhead on the right, next to a large meadow.

The ride

Follow the signs for the Tahoe Rim Trail. The trail begins in a meadow, enters a forest of aspen (at first) and pine, and then follows the ridge line, to Tunnel Creek Road. If you do this ride as an out-and-back, then note that the reverse trip is slightly more difficult, in part because of some sandy sections near the Tunnel Creek Road end.

For more information

More information about this ride: from "Tahoe Adventure Sports"; from Great Basin Bicycles [PDF format]; from the Spooner Lake Outdoors Company
See also Steve Wolf's ride description and videos
General information about mountain biking on the Tahoe Rim Trail.

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