Spooner Lake Trail, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Length:                             2.5 miles
Width:                               30 in.
Surface type:                   natural soil
Maximum grade:            > 6 %
Maximum cross slope:  > 8 %
Obstacles:                         rock outcrops, sand
Use Fee required?:         $10 per vehicle
Accessible features:       restrooms and picnic area

​Spooner Lake is within Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe at 7,000 feet elevation. There are camping, cabin rentals, hiking, and fishing. The Spooner Lake Trail, considered here a natural-surfaced backcountry trail, goes completely around Spooner Lake reservoir and is 2.5 miles in length. It was not designed to be an “accessible” trail. 

The trail is mostly flat, except for the section from the trailhead down to the lake level and the return. These are the steeper grades at >6 %. Cross slopes are generally low but one short section crosses rocks at greater than 8%.

This is a wonderful trail for walking or rolling, one of the longer relatively flat backcountry trails you will find. Some parts of the trail surface are soft in sandy areas but worth the extra effort. 

The park is located at the junction of US-50 from Carson City and Route 28 which goes north to Incline Village, Nevada. Accessible features at the park include restrooms and picnic area.

​Last visited May 2016
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