Alum Rock Park

South Rim Viewpoint–South Rim Trail, 3 sights

3.1 mi · ▲ 600 ft · 1 hr 20 min

South Rim Viewpoint–South Rim Trail, 3 sights is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Alum Rock Park near East Foothills, CA. The route reaches South Rim Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It climbs 600 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi564 – 1,184 ft · steepest grade: 21%3.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Penitencia Creek Trail 37.39665, -121.79805
Nearest town East Foothills, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

South Rim Viewpoint–South Rim Trail, 3 sights

3.1 mi · ▲ 600 ft · 1 hr 20 min

Elevation 565–1,186 ft

Out & Back · Alum Rock Park

Trailhead: Penitencia Creek Trail · 37.39665, -121.79805

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Penitencia Creek Trail, heading NE.
  2. 350 ftTurn right, heading N.
  3. 0.2 miSharp right onto Switchback Trail, heading S.
  4. 0.8 miTurn left onto South Rim Trail, heading N.
  5. 150 ftContinue straight onto Switchback Trail, heading NE.
  6. 50 ftTurn right onto South Rim Trail, heading NE.
  7. 0.4 miPass South Rim Viewpoint.
  8. 1.4 miContinue straight onto Penitencia Creek Trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  10. 250 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Weather

Sunrise 6:15 AMSunset 8:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~46 min). Leave by 7:08 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Penitencia Creek Trail Trailhead