Martis Peak Fire Lookout sits just below the summit of the 8749' Martis Peak on Lake Tahoe's northern edge. The fire lookout, still actively used throughout summer months, has panoramic views of not only Lake Tahoe, but Truckee and Donner Lake, Boca and Stampede Reservoirs and the epic rolling topography of the Sierra Nevada.
The hike to the lookout is a round trip distance of just under 10 miles which includes over 1900' in elevation gain through backcountry single track along the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT). A few spur trails lead to epic viewpoints overlooking the Lake Tahoe landscape along the way, and while the trail is popular and you're likely to encounter a full parking area and a lot of others out on the trail near the trailhead, once you really hit the interior, the crowds tend to drop off and you'll find yourself deep inside the interior of the forests.