To access the Osseo Trail, hikers begin on the Lincoln Woods Trail from the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center. All of which makes it a great option for casual hikers wanting to bag a 4,000-foot peak, or as a starter mountain for those eager to collect all 48. Practically serving as a boundary marker between the Pemigewasset Wilderness and Franconia Notch State Park, it packs plenty of scenery to boot. Flume has to rank as one of the “easier” 4,000-foot climbs in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. You have just ridden one of the best rides you'll ever ride.11.2 miles round trip (including Lincoln Woods Trail and the Franconia Ridge Trail) (Sure its a road, but the descent is quite fun with its many small dips and drops that can provide a thrill at speed). The Flume ends at a 3 mile 1500' descent down Tunnel Creek road to the Tunnel Creek Cafe.

Enjoy the ride, have lunch, take in the views. There is one very short rock slide area that you'll walk over that has a sign warning you of. At one point, on the day I rode, the road ran across a short section of lake about a foot deep giving wet tires and brakes that gave cause for difficult opening moves down sandy granite rocks.Īfter this though, the Flume Trail is enjoyable mostly flat singletrack twisting along a steep mountain side dropping only 40' per mile. Ride Marlette Lake Road around Marlette Lake to the beginning of the Flume Trail. Continue back to the trail and descend 500' to Marlette Lake where you engage the Flume Trail. Enjoy the view of Tahoe & Marlette Lakes. Here you find a couple hundred foot diversion to a view point. The climb rewards you with an opening to another meadow with spectacular views at Marlette Peak. I recall a theme resonating in my mind.'does this never let up?' Perhaps I am just soft, but I found this part difficult. In this section you'll encounter a torturous 900' climb with many. 9 miles of riding brings you to a four-way intersection.Ĭontinue straight for another 5 miles. The trail is semi-technical through this section due to the many rock steps which can be frustrating to many. Look for the Tahoe Rim Trail signs directing you up and right onto the TRT after a quarter mile.Īfter the meadow, you'll encounter a 300' climb beyond which you'll enjoy many small climbs and descents. A fragmented wooden boardwalk guides you into the the woods. Be aware of small obstacles hidden from eyesight. You'll ride a very tight trail through the meadow that is covered in soft, dense vegetation. There are small light blue and white triangular Tahoe Rim Trail signs guiding your way throughout the ride, though they are few and far between.Īt the shuttle drop off point as you face the wilderness with your back to the road, mount up and drop onto the trail to your right. Take a shuttle from the Tunnel Creek Cafe parking (where the ride ends) to the drop off at Tahoe Meadows Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead.Ī morning start of this ride is often cool - a long sleeve or shell is recommended.

Take it in, put your socks back on and continue down the trail.there is more to come! There is a view point at 11.7 miles that will blow your socks off. Perhaps the phrase 'Shock & Awe' is more appropriate. I am being reserved when I say the the views are stunning. Few if any will have the ability to peddle this entire ride without dismounting but nothing is difficult to hike a bike past. While the TRT portion of the ride is more technical and advanced in sections, the Flume Trail is ideal for the beginner to intermediate rider. Be aware that this wilderness is habitat for Black Bears and Mountain Lions. This ride uses only a portion of the TRT that is available to the MTB community. Much of the TRT is off limits for mountain bikers and signage alerts you to this. The Tahoe Rim Trail is 168 miles circling Lake Tahoe along the ridges and mountaintops that form the Lake Tahoe Basin in northern Nevada and northern California. The trail itself ranges from packed sand, loose sand, loamy/rooty forest to granite boulders and steps. Much of the ride is easy with a smathering of technical features that will keep even the most advanced rider on their toes. If you were going to do only one ride in Tahoe - this is it.

Flume trail