One of the wildest rides in Reno-Tahoe: Flume Trail

               'When a man comes to the mountains, he comes home.'

                                                                                         -John Muir

On our way to Spooner Lake. The first view of the lake if you're coming from 395 South Mt Rose.

And there it was my final hurrah for the summer. My buddy Joel calls me Sunday night, inviting me to once again ascend Flume trail ( at Spooner Lake in South Lake Tahoe)

I was here a little over a month ago. I was part of a group of seven eager men aiming to conquer the treacherous 14 mile bike ride (give or take depending on how far you want to go) fortunately, every one of us came back alive. But only two went home victorious.- reaching the finish line. (allow me to brag that the author was one of them )

I couldn’t say no to the second invitation. I just had to have my one last taste of Tahoe before the winter cold sets in.

At Spooner Lake on our way to Flume Trail.

 

Flume trail is a lot like the neighborhood bakeshop that you have never heard of but has the best fruit tart in the world. In this case, one of the best mountain bike trails in the
United States.

If not for my buddy Joel I doubt very much if I would find this place on my own.  It's a great place to bring the family whether you're walking,hiking or biking.

It’s been reported that Flume Trail is one of the top 40 mountain bike experiences in the

United States (by a major adventure magazine). I have no doubt that it is.

Flume trail is 1600 Ft. above the east

shore of Lake Tahoe and only half a mile away from the shoreline.

A peak from above

And when you do reach the 1600 ft level, the gorgeous white sand beach of sand harbor will politely overwhelm you with its incomparable beauty.  The hard part is not gazing down at the beach while riding.  (its dangerous to look away from your path, especially if its just a few feet that separates you and the thousand feet drop) The experience simply is exhilarating. I cannot think of any other word.

When I was enjoying all this beauty I couldn't help but recite to myself this beautiful quote from the book Wild at Heart.

' The spiritual life cannot be made suburban.  It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed. '

                                                                                         -Howard Macy

Here are the links for more detailed information on the trail.

• The Flume Trail
• Driving directions to Flume Trail

Feel free to call me for any additional questions or if you need help about anything. 775-338-7649 (Ian)