South Rim Viewpoint–South Rim Trail, 4 sights is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Alum Rock Park near East Foothills, CA. The route reaches South Rim Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.1 miles in. It climbs 863 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi499 – 1,191 ft · steepest grade: 23%4.5 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Penitencia Creek Trail 37.39690, -121.80736
Nearest town East Foothills, CA
Directions
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South Rim Viewpoint–South Rim Trail, 4 sights
4.3 mi · ▲ 863 ft · 1 hr 52 min
Elevation 498–1,191 ft
Out & Back · Alum Rock Park
Trailhead: Penitencia Creek Trail · 37.39690, -121.80736
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:13 PM
- Start on Inspiration Point Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Woodland Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miBear right onto South Rim Trail, heading E.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Switchback Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right onto South Rim Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miReach South Rim Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Switchback Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto South Rim Trail, heading SE.
- 1.1 miBear left onto Woodland Trail, heading E.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Inspiration Point Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
10% dirt90% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:15 AMSunset 8:13 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~64 min). Leave by 6:49 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Penitencia Creek Trail Trailhead
- Sierra Road Vista Point–Sierra Vista Trail, 3 sights 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,615 ft
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