Tahoe Rim Trail: Spooner Summit to Snow Valley Peak

Photos Maps Summary: This hike, off the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, immediately begins to climb and for the first few miles only offers a few limited views towards Lake Tahoe and the east. Don't waste too much time at these viewpoints of Lake Tahoe because once the trail breaks out of the trees, this hike provides spectacular views of Lake Tahoe as well as the opportunity to hike to the top of Carson City County's (NV) highest point. However, the hike that we did didn't actually go to the summit. Near the turnaround point is a great view of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe.Distance: 11.4 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 2,100' totalSeason: June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 39.1046 N, 119.8969 W (Spooner Summit Trailhead). From the US-395/50 intersection south of Carson City, follow US-50 west for ~9.1 miles to the parking area off the north side of the highway. The trailhead begins off the northeastern side of the parking lot. The Hike: In the beginning, the trail is quite wide and only moderately steep with a few wildflowers surrounding it. When we did this hike we saw a few Dwarf Monkeyflowers, Phlox, Violets, and Snowplants. Once the trail turns away from where a spur trail leads down to Spooner Lake, it narrows and the hike continues in the Jeffrey Pine and Red Fir forest. Now the trail begins to climb more steeply as it weaves its way up through the trees. When the trail skirts around the western side of a ridge there are some limited views of Lake Tahoe, mostly to the southwest. When the trail skirts around the eastern side of a ridge there are some limited views of US-50 and the valley south of Carson City. In the summer, this section of the trail is nice because it offers plenty of shade. However, after ~4.35 miles the trail begins to break out of the trees but by this time you're up near 8,600' elevation which provides cooler (not necessarily cool) temperatures and you don't care how hot it is because of the phenomenal views that open up before you. As the trail continues to the climb the western side of the ridge the views get better and better. First, we were drawn to the views to the southwest, then as we came around a corner we saw the southern end of Marlette Lake to the north-northwest. The view down into North Canyon is especially pretty with the Marlette Lake trail visible. The trail eventually intersects with the trail coming up from Marlette Lake and the trail coming down from the summit of Snow Valley Peak ~5.5 miles from the trailhead. The summit is ~0.35 miles from here. We continued straight here and then left the trail to the northeast ~0.1 miles from the junction. We climbed to the top of the small ridge here and picked out a spot with a good view of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe and out of the wind (on the western side of the ridge).