Marlette Lake Hike
Posted on July 7, 2008
Scenic Marlette Lake is the highest lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountans.
The trail to Marlette Lake starts near Spooner Lake Picnic Area, at the junction of Highway 28 and 50, Nevada (green metal gate on east side of 28). It’s about 5 miles each way to the lake but it’s mostly mild terrain (one full day will do it).
The artificial lake was created to provide a permanent water supply for Virginia City; the pipe line was completed in 1875. Years ago, its water was diverted to Incline Village via flume and used to shoot logs through a tunnel to Washoe Valley for use in the Virginia City mines.
The trail was very wide and sandy, making for a nice hiking surface. It was easy rolling hills for about 4 miles. But after that, hiking along that fifth mile was a fairly challenging hill.
A large meadow of wildflowers is located at the beginning of the trail, with Aspen groves in ample view as you head further north.
The route to Marlette Lake is generally open for snow-free travel by June. Fall is an especially fine time for a visit, when the extensive aspen groves in North Canyon and along Marlette’s west shore are ablaze in autumnal splendor.
» Filed Under Activities Tags: Tags:hiking, Lake Tahoe hike, Lake Tahoe hiking, Lake Tahoe hiking trail, Marlette Lake, Marlette Lake Hike, Marlette Lake trail
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