Sunset hikes near Big Meadow, 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. Blue Rock Trail–Forest Route 5N14, 5 sights 2.6 mi away

   Be there by 7:07 PM

   1. Be there7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Dark7:54 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:54 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Forest Route 7N38 & Wolfe-Bray Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:23 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1630 ft climb · 361 min of walking

3. Spicer Meadow Reservoir & Wolfe-Bray Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 970 ft climb · 167 min of walking

4. Bear Trap Basin (17E27)–Corral Gulch Rd (MC2CT) FS-17EV485, 6 sights 4 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:28 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 640 ft climb · 111 min of walking

5. Bear Top–Bloods Point, 3 cliffs 5.5 mi away

   Leave by 7:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car7:43 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 7:43 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2 min of walking

6. Reba–Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail, 5 sights 6.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:03 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 900 ft climb · 186 min of walking

7. Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail–Bee Gulch Trail, 9 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 153 min of walking

8. Poison Canyon–Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail, 7 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 154 min of walking

9. Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 6 sights 6.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:24 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1120 ft climb · 342 min of walking

10. Forest Route 6N84 4.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:39 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:39 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:03 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 49 min of walking

11. Forest Route 7N27 5.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:44 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:02 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 43 min of walking

12. Forest Route 6N29Y & Forest Route 7N38 6.2 mi away

    Be there by 7:07 PM

    1. Be there7:07 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Dark7:54 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:54 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead