Sunset hikes near Cow Creek, 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. Forest Route 5N04 7.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:07 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 49 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Forest Route 5N14 & Forest Route 6N95 8.3 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

3. Forest Route 5N87 8.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car7:51 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 7:51 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 25 min of walking

4. County Line Trail–Forest Route 6N06, 5 sights 8.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:45 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1640 ft climb · 298 min of walking

5. Forest Route 5N09 & Forest Route 5N87 9.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:06 PM

   1. Be there7:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Dark7:53 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:53 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights 13 mi away

   Leave by 4:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:52 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.0 mi to the viewpoint · 850 ft climb · 276 min of walking

7. Rock Lake–Duck Lake Bypass Trail, 4 sights 13.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:41 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.3 mi to the viewpoint · 720 ft climb · 353 min of walking

8. Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights 13 mi away

   Leave by 3:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:36 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1380 ft climb · 374 min of walking

9. Summit Lake–Elephant Rock Lake, 3 lakes 11.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:12 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 63 min of walking

10. Forest Route 6N84 11.5 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 12.3 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. Spicer Meadow Reservoir–Forest Route 7N38, 3 sights 11.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car9:27 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 9:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 223 min of walking