Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches

2.5 mi · ▲ 396 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches is a 2.5-mile out-and-back in Trinidad State Beach near Trinidad, CA. The route passes Trinidad State Beach, Trinidad State Beach, College Cove South and 4 more before reaching Elk Head at the turnaround, 1.2 miles in. It climbs 396 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi13 – 180 ft · steepest grade: 24%2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Bay Street 41.05755, -124.14900

Nearest town Trinidad, CA

Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Elk Head Sunset Point–Trinidad State Beach, 6 beaches

2.5 mi · ▲ 396 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Elevation 13–181 ft

Out & Back · Trinidad State Beach

Trailhead: Bay Street · 41.05755, -124.14900

Weather Aug 4: Fog, high 68°F / low 51° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:32 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
50 ftPass Trinidad State Beach.
0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
500 ftPass Trinidad State Beach.
150 ftBear left, heading N.
250 ftPass College Cove South.
150 ftTurn right, heading NW.
0.3 miPass College Cove North.
200 ftTurn left, heading NW.
0.2 miPass College Cove South.
150 ftBear left, heading W.
50 ftTurn left, heading W.
50 ftPass Elk Head Sunset Point.
0.1 miPass College Cove North.
0.1 miBear right onto Elk Head Trail, heading W.
0.1 miPass Elk Head.
250 ftReach Elk Head Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
50 ftBear right, heading E.
0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
350 ftBear right, heading E.
0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
200 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Show 21 more steps Show fewer steps

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

Trail surface

82% dirt9% sand4% gravel5% unspecified

Weather

Fog68°F51°

Precip0%Wind7 mphUV8Humidity78%

Hourly temperature

70°50°

6:15 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM8:32 PM

Wed 61°53°

Thu 84°61°

Fri 86°57°

Sat 84°56°

Sun 81°56°

Mon 81°55°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 8:12 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:32 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 9:03 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby