Featured Ride: Tahoe Rim and Flume Trail via Tahoe Meadows

This week’s Featured Ride continues our high-country theme as we roll into the heart of summer. Tahoe’s iconic Rim trail sits at maximum elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, so now is the time to ride!

First, a couple of things you need to know. Only a portion of the 168-mile Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is open to bikes. This particular section of the TRT is open to bikes on even-numbered days. Second, a shuttle is required for this 24-mile ride.

According to MTB Project, Flume Trail Bikes is your best bet for shuttle service. The $15 shuttle departs from the shop, which is adjacent to Tunnel Creek Cafe, a stellar spot for a pre-ride snack or a post-ride dinner and drinks. Morning rides can be cool at elevation, so bring a shell or long-sleeve jersey.

This ride is ranked blue intermediate as a whole, consisting of the black expert TRT and the green/blue easy to intermediate Flume trail. What this trail might be lacking in outright technical difficulty for die-hard shredders, it more than makes up with its awe-inspiring vistas.

Though this shuttle ride descends nearly 4,000 vertical feet, it’s far from being all down hill with 1,555 feet of vertical gain. The average ride time on MTB Project is two hours and thirty seven minutes, so plan accordingly. For full the full description and ride details, be sure to check it out on MTB Project.

Have you ridden any of the iconic trails? Let us know in the comments below.

Video

Here’s an on-board video that shows the terrain on the TRT.

MTB Project Map

Photos courtesy of MTB Project.