Description:

The course starts at Spooner Lake, Nevada State Park located on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. The first mile of the run follows North Canyon Road (jeep road) into the backcountry. At about 1 mile, the course veers off to the left and onto the Marlette Lake Trail, a beautiful single track. In the next 3 miles, runners climb 1500 feet through conifers and aspen groves passing an old loggers cabin on their way to Marlette Saddle, the highest point on the course at 8200 feet. After cresting the hill, the trail then descends a half mile to Marlette Lake at 7823 feet. Once at Marlette Lake, all runners turn left for 1 mile of flat running on a jeep road along the west shore of Marlette Lake. At the dam, just before dropping onto the Flume Trail, runners will encounter the first of 2 aid stations along the course at mile 5.8. After leaving the Dam Aid Station, the next 4.5 miles of running are flat and narrow (sometimes very narrow) single track of some of the most spectacular views you will ever experience. Use caution, as this section has very steep drop offs and can be challenging for those who are afraid of heights. Although some of you may think that this section should be flat and fast, it is quite the contrary. The breathtaking views along this 4.5 mile section will literally stop you in your tracks. Every turn seems to reveal a better view to snap on your smartphone. To help keep traffic flowing, we will have a professional photographer out on this section of the course taking event photos of every runner. After these memorable 4.5 miles come to an end, runners come upon the second and last aid station on the course at the junction of the Flume Trail and Tunnel Creek Road. Put your downhill legs on for the next 3 miles: a 1500 foot descent down Tunnel Creek Road (jeep road). When almost down to lake level, runners will veer off Tunnel Creek Road to the right through a green gate heading north toward the finish line at Tunnel Creek Cafe.