It was a photo on one of the Northern California hiking FaceBook groups that brought my attention to this trail. In one photo was a monkey carved out of granite keeping a watchful eye over Lake Tahoe, and in the same post was a girl on a swing hung from the branch of a pine tree with nothing but sky and the lake surrounding her. She was literally in thin air. I had to see these things for myself. So, with my trusty map of the area, I plotted a course and called out to hiking pals Lee, “Bunny Hop” and “Pokey”

The trail starts just outside of Incline village. You can’t miss the parking lot at the end of the Tunnel View Cafe. It’s the same place where the old Ponderosa (Bonanza TV Show) theme park used to be. (It’s been gone since 2004) Take the Tunnel Creek trail for a couple of miles (all uphill) to see the granite monkey and swing. Continue on the uphill climb to the Marlette Flume trail for the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Thankfully the Flume trail is flat. Beware, this very narrow trail is shared with bikes so be prepared to move out of their way! The bikers were courteous and at no time did I feel I was going to get run over or shoved off of the cliff. Those bike riders are braver than me as that trail is Narrow!

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