Some say this is "the best mountain bike route in the west" but they haven't ridden all the trails in the west either.  We here at TahoeBike.com do agree that it is one of the most diverse and beautiful rides in the west!
The Flume Trail has been featured on postcards and in a gazillion bicycle publications, just about every year it will appear on the cover of a bike mag.  During the summer, this loop is likened to a crowded freeway, but in early May or late October-November, when the hordes of vacationing crowds have left town, it’s easy to understand why some call the Flume Trail "the best mountain bike route in the west".  This 22-28 mile ride (depending on route) has a lot to offer.  Like gorgeous sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, peaceful lakes where bald eagles soar from tree to tree, thrilling single-track that clings precariously to a steep, exposed slope, bordered by deep drop-offs, heart-pounding climbs through forests of aspens and conifers, boulder fields and switchbacks, moon dust and sand traps.  The terrain is well-suited for intermediate-level riders.  If you have a hankering for an all-day outing that’s exhilarating for the body and soul, this is the ride for you.

Related Maps: 
Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe; USGS Marlette Lake and Glenbrook.
Free map with paid entrance to Spooner Lake, here is our scanned edit of it, sized for your printer.

Jurisdiction / Local Information:
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, US Forest Service, (916) 573-2600

Photos & Stories of our past rides on the Flume Trail: 1 | 2

Circling Lake Tahoe at high elevation, the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) is widely known for some of the most spectacular views in the entire Lake Tahoe area.  Popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians in the warmer months, the TRT offers some of the most challenging natural mountain biking terrain to be found anywhere.  The first 60% of the ride, to The Bench, is rolling terrain, fairly steep climbing punctuated by a few short downhill sections.  While the net elevation gain to The Bench is around 1000' the actual total climbing is probably closer to 2000'.  The section from The Bench to Spooner Summit is almost all downhill, nearly 6 miles with 1600' vertical drop.  There are very few flat spots on this ride, you're either climbing or descending.  There are lots of roots, stair cases, loose rocks, embedded rock and the moon dust gets deeper as we approach fall.  This section of the Tahoe Rim Trail crosses several fire roads, most used to access the broadcast towers on the summit of nearby Genoa Peak.  One way, this ride will take you 2-4 hours (racers less) and for both out & back, start early just to be sure you'll complete the ride before dark.
Option 2:  pedal Hwy.50 back to the base of Kingsbury Grade where you would have a car parked at Lakeside Inn to take you back to the trailhead at Andria Dr.  Hwy.50 back home is easier than taking the trail back and mostly downhill with a nice shoulder.
Option 3:  shuttle with two vehicles, one at Spooner Summit trailhead and the other at Kingsbury.

Directions to Trailheads:
Kingsbury Grade - once in South Shore Lake Tahoe go South on Nevada State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade), approx 3 mi. and nearly to the top of Daggett Pass.  Left on North Benjamin which turns into Andria Dr. and onto the dirt parking lot at the end.  Trailhead is located on the left side of the parking lot.
Spooner Summit: -  parking area is at the top of Spooner Summit, Hwy.50 on the East side of the Hwy.  From South Shore go North on Hwy.50 out of town.  From West shore go East on Hwy.28 past Incline Village to Hwy.50, turn left and look for parking area on the right.

Credits:
We were originally turned onto this trail by Steven Lieberman, mountain biker extraordinaire, Heavenly Ski Instructor & powder hound, owner of Killer Chicken and all around a great host.  A portion of this trail description and stats were penned by Steven for TahoeBike.com which Steve originated.