TRT - Marlette Lake Section

The Marlette Lake Section of the Tahoe Rim Trail offers one of the most rewarding moderate day hikes on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe basin, combining a loop through the Carson Range with destination views of Marlette Lake and the main body of Lake Tahoe shimmering far below. Beginning from the Spooner Lake trailhead in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, the route climbs steadily through mature Jeffrey pine and white fir forest to reach Marlette Lake at 8,000 feet.

Marlette Lake was historically used as a water supply reservoir for Virginia City during the silver mining boom of the 1860s, and remnants of the flume system that carried water down the mountain can still be seen in places along the trail. The TRT section above the lake traverses an open ridge with outstanding views of Lake Tahoe in both directions, revealing the remarkable deep blue of the lake against the surrounding granite and pine landscape. Mountain bikers share portions of the Flume Trail below Marlette Lake, one of the most famous singletrack rides in the country. Hikers can descend via the Flume Trail for a more dramatic and scenic loop option on the return.