Sunset hikes near Emerald Bay, 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. Dicks Peak–Inspiration Point, 3 summits 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 3:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:36 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.3 mi to the viewpoint · 2620 ft climb · 347 min of walking

2. Gilmore Lake & Fallen Leaf Lake via Floating Island / Mount Tallac Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:10 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 2810 ft climb · 296 min of walking

3. Mount Tallac–Fallen Leaf Lake, 3 summits 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 2:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead2:36 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:49 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   6.3 mi to the viewpoint · 3130 ft climb · 399 min of walking

4. Inspiration Point–Eagle Lake, 4 sights 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:59 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 1490 ft climb · 128 min of walking

5. Upper Eagle Falls–Vista, 5 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 1460 ft climb · 125 min of walking

6. Azure Lake & Azure Lake trail via Bayview Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1460 ft climb · 124 min of walking

7. Bayview Trail 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:57 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1440 ft climb · 122 min of walking

8. Sourdough Hill–Richardson Lake, 6 sights 6.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car10:15 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 10:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1460 ft climb · 391 min of walking

9. Ellis Peak–Lake Louise, 3 summits 6.8 mi away

   Leave by 2:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead2:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car10:24 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   7.4 mi to the viewpoint · 2230 ft climb · 434 min of walking

10. Hidden Lake–Shadow Lake, 4 lakes 4.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:26 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car8:21 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 470 ft climb · 140 min of walking

11. Lily Pond & General Creek Trail 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:29 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car8:18 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 450 ft climb · 134 min of walking

12. Lost Lake & Lost Lake Trail via Rubicon Trail 6.5 mi away

    Leave by 5:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car8:19 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

    Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 470 ft climb · 136 min of walking