Over the years, this canyon was used for lumbering, cattle and sheep grazing, and water resources. Today it is part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Parks’ Marlette-Hobart Backcountry Management Area, and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, with over a million visitors each year, is among Nevada’s most popular outdoor recreation facilities. Because of heavy use, the Marlette Lake Trail was created to relieve traffic on North Canyon Road and reduce conflicts among mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Historically, North Canyon Road was the primary route to Marlette Lake, Twin Lakes, Hobart Reservoir, and historic structures including Spencer’s Cabin, the Red House, and Hanna’s Cabin, and it serves thousands of hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers. Marlette Lake Trail was created as an alternate route to Marlette Lake for hikers and equestrians only, with a minimal footprint and a course routed around sensitive riparian zones. The trail is four miles long and begins at the intersection above Spencer’s Cabin, also known as Shepard’s Warming Hut, just north of Spooner Meadow at 7,000 feet. Running parallel to North Canyon Road, it reaches 8,157 feet at the North Canyon/Marlette Lake Saddle, then descends to 7,840 feet at the Marlette Lake Spawning Area and Fish Ladder.