Sunset hikes near Meadow Lake Park, 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. Everest–Far Side, 4 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:39 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1630 ft climb · 395 min of walking

2. Donner Lake Rim Viewpoint–Alder Creek Trail, 11 sights 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 360 ft climb · 187 min of walking

3. Bergschrund Trail–Everest, 5 sights 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:22 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 10:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1250 ft climb · 342 min of walking

4. Donner Lake–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 4.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 280 ft climb · 32 min of walking

5. Roller Pass–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 5 mi away

   Leave by 4:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:49 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   5.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1840 ft climb · 307 min of walking

6. Lake Mary–Emigrant Trail, 5 sights 5.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 43 min of walking

7. Emigrant Trail–Mount Judah Loop, 3 sights 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:48 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car7:54 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 270 ft climb · 31 min of walking

8. Castle Peak–Summit Lake, 6 sights 5.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:59 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 9:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1370 ft climb · 311 min of walking

9. Snowshed–Snowshed North Face, 6 cliffs 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:46 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 0 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 300 ft climb · 33 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. Signal Hill–Snowshed, 8 lakes 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:25 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car8:12 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

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

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 450 ft climb · 72 min of walking

11. Donner Peak–Donner Peak Viewpoint, 9 sights 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 5:37 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:37 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car8:42 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1070 ft climb · 151 min of walking

12. Tunnel Rock–Pacific Crest Viewpoint, 10 sights 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:31 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:31 PM
    2. Sunset7:28 PM
    3. Head back7:43 PM
    4. At your car10:12 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 10:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 870 ft climb · 306 min of walking