ActivitiesHikingMarlette Lake / Flume Trail Trailhead

Marlette Lake / Flume Trail Trailhead

East Shore, hiking, strenuous

The Flume Trail follows a historic 19th-century water flume along a narrow ridge 1,600 ft above Lake Tahoe. Bucket-list hike or MTB ride.

In short: Marlette Lake / Flume Trail Trailhead is a strenuous hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 22 mi round trip, 3,200 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 8,500 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.

Distance, round trip
22 mi
Elevation gain
3,200 ft
High point
8,500 ft
Difficulty
Strenuous

Where it is

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Trail details

  • Flume Trail ridge
  • Marlette Lake reservoir
  • Historic flume route
  • MTB shuttle optional
Trail
Marlette Lake — Flume Trail
Season
Jun – Oct
Permit
None needed
Parking
Nevada State Parks, $10
Dogs
Allowed

Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.

Guided hike

Conditions today

Right now
72°F, Sunny
Today
High 72°, low 48°
Wind
8 mph
Campfires
Metal rings only
  • TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
  • ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
  • FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°

Know before you go

Permits
Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
Parking
Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
Altitude
Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
Weather
Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.

Read the hiking guide

More hiking within 5 miles

Nearest campgrounds

See its pin on the mapAll hiking placesMore on parks.nv.gov (opens in a new tab)