The Hike to Marlette Lake

I had never been to Marlette Lake.

 My original intention was to hike to Snow Valley Peak, get some great photos of Marlette and Lake Tahoe. When I reached  the cross trails that lead to Snow Valley Peak and the other to North Canyon Camp Ground,

I decided to hike down to the campground and take North Canyon Road into the lake. I started at Spooner Trail Head and walked along the Tahoe Rim Trail.  The trail itself is easy. Not as easy as North Canyon Road, but it's a good hike. 

When I reached the intersection of Snow Valley Peak and North Canyon Campground, http://parks.nv.gov/parks/lake...it wasn't an easy choice as I could see Snow Valley Peak right in front of me but I also wanted to go to the lake.  The hike down from the intersection is easy, though I don't think I'd go up it. It's easy one way.  The Pros of taking the TRT is of course the views. The Cons are very simple. No running water.  

The Pro's of taking North Canyon Road is, running stream to fill your canteen, the road is very easy to walk, even after the sun sets. The inclines on the road can be tedious for some one not in good cardio, but take your time and pace yourself, like the TRT, it's doable. The Cons of the North Canyon Road, to me, the heat and light from the sun radiating off the decomposed granite that makes up the road. Both with the altitude can dehydrate you fast. 

There is another trail that starts off from the base of the North Canyon Road that will also take you into Marlette. That trail parallels the North Canyon Road on the west slope of the canyon and slightly higher than the road.