Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit
~3 days · 23.2 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit is known for
Section 3 of Tahoe Rim Trail is an official 38.8 km point-to-point section from Mount Rose Summit Trailhead to Spooner Summit (Spooner North Trailhead).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 23,648 ft to 29,514 ft over 23.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 7.5 mi · 32%
- Downhill 13.1 mi · 57%
- Flat 2.5 mi · 11%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit scores 12/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit take?
Most backpackers hike the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 23.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit?
The Tahoe Rim Trail — Section 3: Mt. Rose Summit / Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit climbs roughly 2,451 ft total — about 106 ft per mile, topping out near 9,003 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.