Sunset hikes near Kirkwood, 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. Kirkwood Lake via Lake Margaret Trail 0.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:07 PM

   1. Be there7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Dark7:55 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:55 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Lake Margaret & Lake Margaret Trail 0.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:07 PM

   1. Be there7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Dark7:55 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:55 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Castle Point Trail–Forbidden Forest, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 930 ft climb · 198 min of walking

4. Castle Point–Castle Point Trail, 3 sights 1 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 920 ft climb · 196 min of walking

5. Caples Crest–Carson Emigrant National Recreational Trail Loop, 10 sights 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car9:13 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1710 ft climb · 223 min of walking

6. Thunder Mountain–Caples Crest, 7 sights 1.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1620 ft climb · 197 min of walking

7. Strawberry Pass–Schneider Camp 4WD Trail, 3 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:25 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 79 min of walking

8. Showers Lake–Little Round Top Trail Loop, 5 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 510 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Carson Pass & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 2.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car8:01 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 470 ft climb · 51 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. 10N01 & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 480 ft climb · 51 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Stevens Peak & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:34 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 490 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Round Lake–Dardanelles Lake, 6 sights 2.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint