2026 MTB Shuttles
Shuttle to a Trailhead
THE FLUME TRAIL WILL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK STARTING SEPT 26!
Park in our shop lot, rent a bike (or bring your own), take a shuttle to a trailhead and conclude your route back at our shop.
As of September 26, 2026 both the 431 Shuttle and classic Flume shuttle to Spooner Lake are running every day.
(See below for more information on our routes)
General info:
Our shuttle services take riders to the start of four distinctly different but equally epic Tahoe Mountain Bike rides. The (Marlette) Flume Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Incline Flume Trail and the 34 mile Cap to Tahoe Trail. Riders can park in our lot at the shop (located behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe) and get a lift to their desired ride destination (Cap to Tahoe pick up is in Carson City behind the BikeSmith bike shop with a drop off at the Tahoe Rim Trail at Tahoe meadows).
Shuttle Options:
Incline Flume Trail: our shortest ride option with very little elevation gain, great for beginner riders!
Classic Marlette Flume Trail Shuttle: Our Traditional Flume Trail Shuttle that drops off at Spooner Lake for a 14 mile point-to-point across the famous Marlette Flume Trail. This route is open 7 days/week as of September 26, 2026. We will be doing morning shuttle trips daily, as well as afternoon returns for riders who park at Spooner Lake.
431 Shuttle: Provides drop-offs at the Tahoe Rim Trail (a slightly more advanced 12-mile ride), the Tyrolian Downhill and the Incline Flume Trail. These start points provide a variety of options to lengthen the ride or access other trails. This allows riders to put together a ride of any length for any skill level, our staff is available to answer questions and provide assistance with routes.
*Tahoe Rim Trail open to riders on even dates only
Cap-to-Tahoe Shuttle: A 34-mile single track epic starting in Tahoe Meadows and concluding in Carson City (this shuttle runs even days of the month on weekends only, riders will be picked up in Carson City at 9:00am and taken to the trailhead).
*2026 Shuttles expected to run through November
(Weather Dependent)
Current 2026 Spooner Shuttle Schedule
Weekend shuttle departures:
9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm
Midweek shuttle departures
10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm
** Only return shuttles and shuttles for personal bikes after 2:30 pm
The Classic Flume Shuttle
(The classic Flume point-to-point shuttle is OPEN 7 Days a Week starting September 26th, 2026
About the Flume shuttle:
Season: June-November (as weather permits)
Shuttle Cost: $22/rider
Bike Type: Hardtail, Full Suspension, Mountain Pedal Assist E-bike
Mileage: the classic 14 mile point-to-point from Spooner Lake to the bike shop with 1100 ft of elevation gain
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Minimum of two riders on a shuttle required to make van trip (dedicated single riders can pay for two shuttle tickets to ride)
- If scheduled vans are filled to capacity, we will send another van for the overflow riders (current 13 rider capacity)
- Shuttles generally leave a few minutes later than scheduled and we try to group as many riders together as we can to minimize van trips
2026 (Incline Flume) 431 Shuttle Schedule
Weekend shuttle departures:
10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm
Midweek shuttle departures:
11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm
To ride earlier, park at the trailhead and get a shuttle back to your vehicle after you ride.
Highway 431 Shuttle
The Highway 431 Shuttle runs every day and gives riders access to the Incline Flume Trail, Tyrolian Downhill and combines with the Tahoe Rim Shuttle on even dates.
Incline Flume Shuttle:
open every day
Shuttle Cost: $22/rider
Bike Type: Hardtail, Full Suspension, Mountain Pedal Assist E-bike (class 1)
Ride Options:
The Incline Flume Trail: an easier, roughly 10-mile point to point ride where riders will take the Incline Flume across and then descend tunnel creek road to return to the shop. This is a great beginner route with no significance elevation gain with nine miles of single track.
The Incline Flume Trail adding the Marlette Flume Out-and-Back: This route provides riders with far more single track and much less elevation gain than the traditional route from Spooner Lake with the 1000’ climb to Marlette Lake. After completing the Incline Flume trail, riders will arrive at Tunnel Creek Road and turn left to start the short half mile climb to the Marlette Flume Trail. Riders will then ride the Marlette Flume South-bound for around 2 miles in order to get to the most beautiful spots along the trail. The trail is fully open and allows riders to go as far out onto the Marlette Flume as they want before doubling back and returning to the shop via Tunnel Creek Road.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Minimum of two riders on a shuttle required to make van trip (dedicated single riders can pay for two shuttle tickets to ride)
- If scheduled vans are filled to capacity, we will send another van for the overflow riders (current 14 rider capacity)
- Shuttles generally leave a few minutes later than scheduled and we try to group as many riders together as we can to minimize van trips.
Tahoe Rim Trail Shuttle
(Also bookable under “Highway 431 Shuttle”)
2026 (Tahoe Meadows) 431 Shuttle Schedule
(Even Dates Only for Meadows Access)
Weekend shuttle departures:
9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm
** Only return shuttles and shuttles for personal bikes after 2:00 pm
Midweek shuttle departures:
11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm
(for riders wanting to get started earlier, park at the trailhead and get a return shuttle back with us after you ride)
Tahoe Rim Trail Shuttle:
Season: June-November (as snow melt permits)
Shuttle Cost: $22/rider
Bike Type: Hardtail, Full Suspension recommended
Ride Options:
The Tahoe Meadows back to the shop: This route takes riders on a roughly 12 mile point-to-point from Tahoe Meadows with 314 ft of elevation gain. This is the first section of the TRT only and is the shortest version of the meadows ride.
The extended TRT ride: The classic 24-mile IMBA epic loop is once again open following the completion of the Marlette Dam Project. After completing the fist nine miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail from out Shuttle Drop-off, continue another 5 miles along the rim to Marlette Peak. Enjoy the views from the summit and then descend to Marlette Lake to complete the ride with the Flume Trail and Tunnel Creek descent.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- TRT Shuttles run on even dates only (ie : the 2nd, 4th, 6th etc.) of each month.
- If scheduled vans are filled to capacity, we will send another van for the overflow riders (current 14 rider capacity)
- Shuttles generally leave a few minutes later than scheduled and we try to group as many riders together as we can to minimize van trips
Cap to Tahoe Shuttle
About the Cap to Tahoe Shuttle:
Season: June-November (as snow permits)
Shuttle Cost: $40/rider
Bike Type: Hardtail, Full Suspension recommended
Ride Description:
The Cap to Tahoe shuttle is a new shuttle that accesses roughly 31 miles of single track from the Tahoe Meadows on Highway 431 to Carson City. This Shuttle is available 9:00am even day of the month on weekends to match the even day only TRT section. (Ie Sat 20th) Reservations required.
Park in the city lot directly behind the Bike Smith bike shop in Carson City. Meet at 8:45 AM and shuttle departs at 9:00 AM. Shuttle takes riders to the Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead on hwy 431. The ride combines 15 miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail to the Cap to Tahoe connector to finish on the Lincoln Bypass downhill into Carson City. A short pedal through town ends back at The Bike Smith. Total ride about 34 miles. 2000’ climbing and 5,000’ descending. MTB project route name: “Rose to Lodes” note a new section of trail is NOT on this route - at about 19 miles in just past a bridge, keep straight on single track to avoid a steep road.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Cap to Tahoe shuttles run even weekend days only departing from The Bike Smith in Carson City.
-Riders should have their own bikes in order to meet at the pick-up location by 9:00 AM in Carson.
- Shuttle availability is subject to change based on interest in the route.
Rental bikes available at our shop for those able to transport bikes to and from Carson. Special arrangements can be made.
2026 Cap to Tahoe Shuttle
(Even weekend days only 9:00am)
Shuttle departures from Carson City:
(Park BEHIND the Bike Smith bike shop in Carson city. 900N Carson Street.)
9:00 AM ONLY