Carson Range recreation: from Spooner Lake to Marlette Peak, northwestern Nevada

Marlette Lake with Marlette Peak above Rocky Point 

The 6.5+-mile-long route (one way) from Spooner Lake to Marlette Peak (elev. 8780 ft) leads mostly through mixed forest—with the exception of the open-slope grandeur around the west and south side of the conic peak. Instead of starting at Spooner Lake, hikers and mountain bicyclists also like to travel the alternative route to Marlette Peak from Spooner Summit along the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Spencer's Cabin

Here, I am following the route starting at the trailhead in the Spooner Lake Management Area. A short walk from the parking lot west of Spooner Lake's dam takes you to rustic Spencer's Cabin. Following the wide path used by hikers and bicyclists, you soon will arrive at the kiosk with the Marlette Lake Trail sign. The 3.75-mile-long trail to the southern tip of Marlette Lake is a single-track, hiking-only trail; while the wide path—

Marlette Lake Trail sign

North Canyon Road—also leads to the lake and is open for mountain biking.

About half-way along Marlette Lake Trail, you will pass the Woodcutter's Cabin site. Continue the steady climb until you get to a saddle separating North Canyon from the lake basin, then descend for a half a mile to the trout hatchery at Marlette Lake. 

Rocky Point with a stretch of Marlette Lake's shoreline

From the hatchery, it takes 0.3 miles along the northeast side of the lake to a road junction, from which you can access Rocky Point, return to Spooner Lake on North Canyon Road, or begin your climb to the Marlette Overlook and to the point where the road intersects with the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT). 

On the way between Rocky Point and Marlette Overlook

Turn left on the TRT to the Marlette Peak Campground (Marlette PK CG). If you continue northbound on the TRT, halfway around Marlette Peak, you will get to a junction, where a post directs you to the South Marlette PK Loop and back to Marlette PK CG. 

South Marlette Peak Loop Trail

The South Marlette Peak Loop Trail is where you want to rest and celebrate the magnificent view of Marlette Lake, Snow Valley Peak, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Crest in California.   

Marlette Lake with Lake Tahoe further back