Sunset hikes near Idlewild, 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. Ellis Lake–Lake Louise, 6 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2270 ft climb · 237 min of walking

2. Lake Louise–Richardson Lake, 8 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2270 ft climb · 239 min of walking

3. Upper Mountain Viewpoint–Quail Lake, 6 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

4. Ward Peak via Tahoe Rim Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

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

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1480 ft climb · 278 min of walking

5. Ellis Peak–Lake Louise, 3 summits 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 2:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead2:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car10:23 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

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

6. Pacific Crest Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 3:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1860 ft climb · 300 min of walking

7. Scott Peak–Ward Peak, 4 summits 3 mi away

   Leave by 3:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:22 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

8. Stanford Rock–Barker Pass, 3 summits 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1130 ft climb · 265 min of walking

9. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 5 sights 4.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 3 sights 4.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Sourdough Hill–Richardson Lake, 6 sights 4.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Ellis Peak Trail 4.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:28 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint