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Some of the best of the Tahoe Rim Trail - or any trail for that matter!


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Map Key

20.3

Miles

32.7

KM

Singletrack

7,853' 2,393 m

High

6,266' 1,910 m

Low

2,643' 806 m

Up

3,390' 1,033 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Need to Know

The last six miles into Tahoe City has a few spots with loose and rocky sections, which can be tricky after a long ride.

Description

A real gem in Lake Tahoe! This is an outstanding shuttle ride, or parts of it can be used for other loop rides (such as Painted Rock Loop via TRT). You could also do a nice out and back from Brockway Summit to Watson Lake and back.

From the summit, the trail is rocky in places and not for beginners. There are several major climbs and descents and a few meadow crossings that can have amazing wildflowers in the summer.

After a few ups and downs you reach Watson Lake, which has many side loop possibilities. From here, the riding is a bit easier and then you descend several hundred feet. You then have several miles of easy, level, smooth riding on what must have been a road a long time ago. Arrive at 73 Rd and follow it for 100 feet before making an easy-to-miss left turn back onto singletrack.

This next section is super fun, fast, bermed and buffed singletrack going slightly downhill. It doesn't last long enough and soon you'll find yourself beginning the long climb up to Painted Rock.

Enjoy the views before the fun really begins. You now have ALMOST 6 MILES of downhill awesomeness with some of the greatest views of any trail. Stop once in a while to soak it in and let your brakes cool!

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Bob Ward and 2 others

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 22 votes

#6

in Lake Tahoe

#1334

Overall
  4.0 from 22 votes
5 Star
59%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
14%
Trail Rankings

#6

in Lake Tahoe

#109

in California

#1,334

Overall
11 Views Last Month
22,776 Since Jun 30, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
27%
68%
5%

Photos

Even after countless rides, I never get over the views here.  Truly a world class MTB destination.
Jun 8, 2016 near Dollar…, CA
Tahoe Rim Trail
Jul 31, 2015 near Dollar…, CA
These views don't get old!
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Yep, just another view...
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
The high point of this ride, and a damn fine place for a rest.
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
Careful riding along "Thunder Cliff" above the Truckee River
Jun 30, 2013 near Sunnysi…, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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