Spooner Lake
11/19/2021: Spooner Lake Loop is a very easy, family-friendly hike. You will see many pines and aspen. One of the most interesting things is the grinding rocks used by the Washoe people.
Marg’s Notes (supplemental): Hmmm…Rod reporting because Marg seems to have been too lazy to write this one up 😊? She liked it because it was very easy and a good last hike. We had to go back to our hotel and get ready to leave the next day. I think we actually went back, read our books and took a long, well-deserved snooze. Then, for dinner, we went to the Fox & Hound and enjoyed beer and pub food. It was very good.
Rod’s Ramblings from the Trail: This is our last day and since yesterday was very difficult (moderate hard), we are doing the easy 2.5 mi Spooner Lake loop. Temperature is about 45 and we are starting at 9:45 a.m.
We parked in the parking area that is right at the intersection highway 50 and 28. There is construction at the trailhead, and you can't get in. So, we are adding about a one mile to the hike.
There are tons of Aspen around this lake, and it would probably be gorgeous in mid-October or when the Aspen are quaking and turning color. This is probably more of a nature trail than a real hiking trail. However, it is a good leisurely walk. Would be a great place to take small children to get their hiking legs built up. There are lots of benches around the lake where you can rest and enjoy the peace.
On the back side especially, you will come to several huge pine trees. I think they are Sugar Pine. Probably some Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines mixed in.
There are many offshoot trails around Spooner Lake. To include North Canyon, Marlette Lake and the Tahoe Rim Trail.
We saw the stones the Washoe people used as mortars.
This is another trail that would be great for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
It took about 2 hours to do the trail but that was because we parked about a half mile from the main trailhead. It's an okay trail especially for little kids and families. I bet it gets crowded in the summer.