Sunset hikes near Big Elk Meadows, co

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. Nixon Park Road & Pole Hill Road 6.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:38 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 320 ft climb · 107 min of walking

2. Panorama Peak–Panorama Peak Road, 5 sights 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car9:43 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 9:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1550 ft climb · 269 min of walking

3. Sugarloaf Mountain–Pole Hill Road, 3 sights 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 310 ft climb · 105 min of walking

4. Twin Sisters Peaks–Twin Sisters Mountain, 5 summits 6.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2180 ft climb · 241 min of walking

5. The Notch–Solitude Creek Road, 3 sights 7.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car9:44 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 9:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1620 ft climb · 269 min of walking

6. Longs Peak–East Face, 6 sights 8.8 mi away

   Leave by 3:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car10:02 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 10:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 3580 ft climb · 381 min of walking

7. Sawtooth Mountain–Beaver Reservoir, 6 sights 11.6 mi away

   Leave by 3:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car10:25 PM
   5. Dark7:58 PM

   Back at your car by 10:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2690 ft climb · 399 min of walking

8. Flattop Mountain–Ptarmigan Glacier, 5 sights 13.3 mi away

   Leave by 2:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead2:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car10:25 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 10:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 3500 ft climb · 422 min of walking

9. Little Blue Lake–Beaver Creek Trail, 3 sights 13.4 mi away

   Leave by 3:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:31 PM
   3. Head back7:46 PM
   4. At your car9:56 PM
   5. Dark7:59 PM

   Back at your car by 9:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 3130 ft climb · 355 min of walking

10. Otis Peak–Flattop Mountain, 6 glaciers 13.7 mi away

    Leave by 2:53 PM

    1. Leave trailhead2:53 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Head back7:46 PM
    4. At your car10:19 PM
    5. Dark7:59 PM

    Back at your car by 10:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.2 mi to the viewpoint · 3550 ft climb · 410 min of walking

11. Upper Beaver Meadows Trail & Ute Trail 13.7 mi away

    Leave by 2:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead2:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Head back7:46 PM
    4. At your car10:31 PM
    5. Dark7:59 PM

    Back at your car by 10:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    6.7 mi to the viewpoint · 3370 ft climb · 428 min of walking

12. Hallett Peak–Flattop Mountain, 6 summits 15.1 mi away

    Leave by 4:02 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:31 PM
    3. Head back7:46 PM
    4. At your car9:29 PM
    5. Dark7:59 PM

    Back at your car by 9:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.2 mi to the viewpoint · 2850 ft climb · 291 min of walking