Imagine standing 1,000 feet above Lake Tahoe. You can see the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the entire lake and across into California. This is a spectacular view you won't soon forget, but it is also one that you must earn.

The Flume Trail - Tahoe's premiere mountain bike ridehttp://apps.tahoe.com/images/powderhound/BikingFlumeTrail.jpg" vspace="3" align="right">
The Flume Trail is one of the most acclaimed biking trails in the area. Located south of Incline Village and north of Spooner Lake, the Flume Trail offers beautiful sights and challenging terrain. There are several ways to get to the Flume Trail. One is from the Tahoe Rim Trail. The Tahoe Rim trailhead is located on State Route 431, also known as Mount Rose Highway. Another, the Tunnel Creek entrance, is just a couple miles south of Incline Village on Highway 28. This is not really an entrance; there is a little area where you can pull off the road and park. That is, if you get there early, because there is not much space.

You can also park at Sand Harbor beach for a fee and ride to the Tunnel Creek entrance. A highly recommended entrance is by the Nevada State Park, Spooner Lake day-use area. Spooner Lake is about 10 miles south of Incline Village. There is a trail-use fee to help cover the cost of maintenance, and there are also a couple of shuttle options and guided tours available at the Spooner Lake Outdoor Company. Call (775) 749-5349 or visit the Web site at http://www.theflumetrail.com">www.theflumetrail.com for details.

You can rent a bike at Spooner Lake Outdoor Company or at Village Bicycles (Village Ski Loft in the winter, visit online at http://www.villageskiloft.com/">www.villageskiloft.com.) Renting a bike is a good idea if your bike is heavy. Don't forget that you have to peddle yourself uphill, and you want as little extra weight as possible. Good equipment can drastically change your overall experience. A light-weight, reliable bike with front suspension will give you the best odds of going as far as your intentions at the beginning of the day.

Plan to take the whole day when you ride the Flume Trail. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and an extra layer of clothing. A light waterproof jacket is a good idea. Mountain weather can change quickly, and you want to be prepared.
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The trail is marked with signs, but occasionally some are missing so you don't want to rely on the signs for directions. Any bike shop in the area should have a map of the Flume Trail you can purchase and take with you.

There are a few points along the trail where you might want to carry your bike if you are afraid of heights or inexperienced in mountain biking. The ride will be incredibly enjoyable no matter how far you go or when you turn back.

Easy Trails

Paved Truckee River Trail:
Starting at the edge of Tahoe City closest to Squaw Valley, this four-and-a-half-mile, two-way trail is popular with runners, rollerbladers and people walking with baby and dogs, so don't expect to get up a lot of speed on a sunny Saturday. Still, the views of the Truckee River are first-rate. A good novice ride.

Incline Lakeshore:
A paved trail winds along the two miles of exclusive lakeshore real estate in Incline Village. Uncrowded trail, with the exception of the areas directly next to Incline and Burnt Cedar beaches. Many bikers and runners like to park at the western corner of Lakeshore Drive and Highway 28. Parking is also available at Incline and Burnt Cedar beaches for residents, or at Village Green or the Hyatt Regency for non-residents.

Marlette Lake:
Located near Spooner Lake on the East Shore. Take Highway 28 and park in the Nevada State Park north of Spooner Junction. Towing is vigorously enforced, so park only in designated parking areas rather than along the road. From the park, ride east toward Spooner Lake and turn left on a dirt road leading to a meadow. This dirt road follows North Canyon Creek. After roughly five miles, you will come upon Marlette Lake, where you should turn left and follow the shoreline to a dam. This is where the Flume Trail begins. This ride is approximately 12 miles long with an elevation gain of about 1,140 feet.
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General Creek Loop:
Located at Sugar Pine Point State Park in Homewood on Tahoe's West Shore, this is a relatively easy ride. Beginning at the park's
campground, turn left and cross a bridge after 2.5 miles. There is a marker at the four-mile point. Also suggested for a shorter trip, turn left and head back to the campground. To complete the loop stay on the fire road to Highway 89. Total distance is six miles.

Paige Meadows:
Beginning at the William Kent Campground near Tahoe City, this loop contains no extreme uphills and leads to an open meadow filled with
wildflowers. Bring the camera and a picnic lunch. Follow the bike path north and turn left on Granlibakken Road. Another two miles up the trail you will turn left on Rawhide Drive, where a dirt road leads you to the meadow. Total loop is around 20 miles.

Moderate Trails

Ward Creek 16-mile Loop:
Challenging for novices, but easier for more advanced riders, this loop has few steep inclines. Starting at the William Kent Campground, the trail is 32 miles each way. Turn right on Pineland Drive, then left on Twin Peaks Road. The road eventually turns right and becomes Ward Creek Road. (The road's name changes to Courchevel Drive.) Turn right again at Chamonix after three miles, then make another right. You will cross a creek then, when the road flattens out and you pass an old ski area, the road begins to descend for 7.8 miles and takes a sharp right turn. At 8.2 miles, there is a USFS gate. Soon after, take a right on Alpine meadows Road. At 9.5 miles, make a right turn on Highway 89 to get to the bike path which follows the Truckee River to Tahoe City. Turn right and cross the bridge to rejoin the bike path south back to the campground.

Watson Lake Loop Ride:
Starting at North Tahoe High School in Tahoe City, this ride is 16.5 miles long. Stay to the left for an immediate right turn. Go straight for one mile until you take a right at the fork. Another right takes you up to the edge of a meadow. After 3.6 miles, the single track ends. Go right and the Tahoe Rim Trail intersects at 4.5 miles. Stay on the main road for about six miles and continue straight ahead. At seven miles, turn right and Watson Lake is nearby.
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Martis Peak Lookout:
An eight-mile ride with a tough climb and great lake views. Take 267 to Brockway Summit and turn onto Martis Peak Road. On the trail, go a mile and turn left, staying on the road until you reach a five points intersection. The trail eventually crests a ridge top. To reach the lookout, turn left at the crest and ride a little ways on.

South Camp Loop:
The distance on this loop ride is 14.5 miles and the elevation gain is a dizzying 2,080 feet. Beginning at Spooner Junction (see Marlette Lake Ride), take the trail to Genoa Peak Road behind the maintenance station on the southeast side of Highway 50. Stay on the right when White Hill Road intersects. Another road intersects on the left and goes to an overlook of the Carson Valley. You eventually come to two creeks after reaching the ridge top
and starting to descend. Go right on North Logan Creek junction. You'll intersect the start of the loop at the 13-mile point. Go left and end up back in the parking lot.

Expert Trails

Twin Peaks Bike and Hike Loop:
With an elevation gain of 2,400 feet and distance of 26 miles, this is truly an expert ride, not a Sunday stroll in the park. A sweeping lakeview at the top is the reward for tight track riding and steep climbs. Begin at William Kent Campground in Tahoe City and take the dirt road 2.2 miles. There is an intersection at seven miles. To hike the summit, stay right. On return, stay right again to ride to Stanford Rock. At 11.3 miles, there is a descension to Ward Creek Road. To return to the campground,
right at this point.
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Barker Pass Loop:
One-way distance is 22.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2,710 feet. Begin in Tahoma and ride west on McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road (left on Bellvue, rights on Springs Road, and a left on McKinney-Rubicon). After passing the boulder fields at seven miles, the road to Ellis Peak intersects. The road to Buck Lake soon intersects on the right. After passing McKinney, Lilly and Miller lakes, the road to Richardson Lake intersects on the left, though you should continue going straight. At the 5.3-mile point, take a right to head to Barker Pass.


Photos: Tahoe World file, Emma Garrard/Tahoe World, Greg Peek and the Tuesday Night Ride Group

This story originally appeared in the Tahoe World on May 31, 2006. The http://www.tahoe-world.com/">Tahoe World is owned by Swift Communications, tahoe.com's parent company.