Sunset hikes near Alpine Meadows, ca

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Five Lakes Trailhead & Five Lakes Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1470 ft climb · 139 min of walking

2. Washeshu Peak–High Camp to Emigrant Ridge, 4 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 3:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car10:00 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 10:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2820 ft climb · 346 min of walking

3. Twin Peaks via Pacific Crest Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:45 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1510 ft climb · 168 min of walking

4. Historic Western States Trail & Whiskey Creek Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1540 ft climb · 156 min of walking

5. Ward Peak 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1250 ft climb · 131 min of walking

6. Granite Chief–Lake Cushing, 5 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car9:08 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1950 ft climb · 227 min of walking

7. Scott Peak–Ward Peak, 4 summits 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car9:49 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 9:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1830 ft climb · 304 min of walking

8. Five Lakes Creek Trail–Thunder Mountain Trail, 4 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:58 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2110 ft climb · 213 min of walking

9. Pacific Crest Trail 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car8:32 PM
   5. Dark7:56 PM

   Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1480 ft climb · 141 min of walking

10. Lake Cushing–Granite Chief Trail, 4 sights 1.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:29 PM
    3. Head back7:44 PM
    4. At your car9:41 PM
    5. Dark7:56 PM

    Back at your car by 9:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 2260 ft climb · 298 min of walking

11. Shirley Lake–Granite Chief Trail, 5 sights 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 3:54 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:54 PM
    2. Sunset7:29 PM
    3. Head back7:44 PM
    4. At your car9:50 PM
    5. Dark7:56 PM

    Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2350 ft climb · 322 min of walking

12. Polar Bear Lake–Granite Chief Trail, 4 sights 1.6 mi away

    Leave by 3:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:29 PM
    3. Head back7:44 PM
    4. At your car9:50 PM
    5. Dark7:56 PM

    Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2350 ft climb · 320 min of walking