Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches

2.2 mi · ▲ 520 ft · 1 hr

Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches is a 2.2-mile out-and-back in Trinidad State Beach near Trinidad, CA. The route passes Trinidad State Beach, College Cove South, College Cove North and 2 more before reaching Trinidad Head Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1 miles in. It climbs 520 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 8/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi13 – 180 ft · steepest grade: 17%2.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Elk Head Trail 41.06864, -124.14967

Nearest town Trinidad, CA

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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches

2.2 mi · ▲ 520 ft · 1 hr

Elevation 13–181 ft

Out & Back · Trinidad State Beach

Trailhead: Elk Head Trail · 41.06864, -124.14967

Weather Aug 4: Fog, high 68°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:31 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
50 ftPass Trinidad State Beach.
50 ftPass College Cove South.
50 ftPass College Cove North.
50 ftPass Elk Head Sunset Point.
250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
50 ftBear right, heading SW.
0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
0.1 miPass Trinidad State Beach.
0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
350 ftBear right, heading SE.
0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
250 ftTurn left onto Trinidad Head Trail, heading S.
100 ftSharp right onto Lighthouse Road, heading S.
250 ftPass Trinidad Head Viewpoint.
0.1 miReach Elk Head Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
0.2 miSharp left onto Trinidad Head Trail, heading W.
100 ftTurn right, heading W.
250 ftTurn left, heading SW.
0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
350 ftTurn right, heading N.
0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

66% dirt10% sand10% gravel8% paved6% unspecified

Weather

Fog68°F50°

Precip0%Wind7 mphUV8Humidity78%

Hourly temperature

70°50°

6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM8:31 PM

Wed 60°52°

Thu 83°61°

Fri 85°56°

Sat 83°55°

Sun 80°55°

Mon 80°54°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.0 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 8:09 PM for the 8:31 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:47 PM — 14 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby