Iconic Flume Trail added to popular Tahoe mountain bike race

Carson City Off-Road

Photo: Brian Leddy Photography

One of the most iconic singletracks in America — the Marlette Flume Trail — has been added to the 3rd Annual Carson City Off-Road course thanks to cooperation with the Humboldt-Toiyabe Forests and Spooner Lake State Park Ranger District. Four miles in length, the Flume offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe on a fun fast single track.

The Carson City Off-Road will now start riders off on the nationally recognized Ash to Kings Trail on their way out of town, thanks to the support of Carson City Open Space. This will provide a taste of high caliber single track earlier in the ride, with a ripping descent before hopping on Kings Canyon Road for huge views of the Sierra Nevada while climbing to Spooner Lake.

From there, riders will take on the legendary flume trail. After completing that segment, they will ascend just a little further to the Tahoe Rim Trail on their way to Marlette Peak, and enjoy it in reverse (the more enjoyable way!) as was done during the event’s inaugural year.

As if it weren’t possible to get better … it does. After riding the Rim Trail to Marlette Peak, and enjoying double lake views of Marlette and Tahoe, riders will then descend Sunflower Hill Trail.

All of these trails, plus the trail work put into the Secret Trail by Muscle Powered (funded by dollars raised through 2017 Hail the Trail raffle), make for a significant increase in the amount of overall singletrack in the route — which is sure to increase both the fun factor and personal gratification each participant receives from completing the Capital 50 route.

As is tradition for Carson City Off-Road participants making their way to the high country, participants start their day with all the climbing front loaded in the course. This allows for a particularly sweet descent off the Tahoe Rim Trail, knowing the worst is behind them and notable descending is ahead such as the Secret Trail, Creek Trail, Deer Run and Postal.

For more information, course maps and registration, visit epicrides.com/events/carson-city-off-road.

Carson City Off-Road

Tahoe Rim Trail. Photo: Brian Leddy Photography

Carson City Off-Road

Tahoe Rim Trail. Photo: Brian Leddy Photography

Carson City Off-Road

Capital 35 Course Map

Carson City Off-Road

Capital 50 Course Map