Sunset hikes near Kennedy 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. Forest Route 5N09 & Forest Route 5N87 7.4 mi away

   Be there by 7:05 PM

   1. Be there7:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Dark7:52 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:52 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Forest Route 5N87 7.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 2 min before dark.

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

3. Forest Route 5N04 9.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car8:05 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 8:05 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Wolf Creek Pass–Disaster Creek Trail Loop, 4 sights 9.8 mi away

   Leave by 3:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car10:55 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 10:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1800 ft climb · 414 min of walking

5. Woods Gulch-Jenkins Canyon Trail 7.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:31 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:31 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car10:43 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 10:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1970 ft climb · 397 min of walking

6. County Line Trail–Forest Route 6N06, 5 sights 11.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car9:44 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

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

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

7. Noble Lake–Wolf Creek Pass, 3 saddles 12.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:13 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:13 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car9:13 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 950 ft climb · 205 min of walking

8. Folger Peak 13 mi away

   Leave by 6:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1030 ft climb · 75 min of walking

9. Marshall Canyon Jeep Trail & Milk Ranch Meadow Trail 13.9 mi away

   Leave by 4:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car9:30 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 9:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.1 mi to the viewpoint · 900 ft climb · 236 min of walking

10. Mosquito Lake–MCCT Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley, 6 sights 15.2 mi away

    Leave by 4:14 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:14 PM
    2. Sunset7:25 PM
    3. Head back7:40 PM
    4. At your car10:09 PM
    5. Dark7:52 PM

    Back at your car by 10:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1310 ft climb · 320 min of walking

11. Dorothy Lake & Noble Canyon Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 15.6 mi away

    Leave by 2:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead2:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:25 PM
    3. Head back7:40 PM
    4. At your car11:03 PM
    5. Dark7:52 PM

    Back at your car by 11:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    7.9 mi to the viewpoint · 1920 ft climb · 453 min of walking

12. Bull Run Lake–Mosquito Lake, 3 lakes 16.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
    2. Sunset7:25 PM
    3. Head back7:40 PM
    4. At your car9:20 PM
    5. Dark7:52 PM

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

    3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 790 ft climb · 203 min of walking