Sunset hikes near Meeks 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. Ellis Peak–Lake Louise, 3 summits 1.4 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

2. Sourdough Hill–Richardson Lake, 6 sights 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 3:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car10:13 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 10:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Richardson Lake–Buck Lake Loop, 4 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:29 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1290 ft climb · 181 min of walking

4. Buck Lake & North Miller Creek East via Rubicon Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1390 ft climb · 213 min of walking

5. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 5 sights 3.4 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

6. Lily Pond & General Creek Trail 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Hidden Lake–Shadow Lake, 4 lakes 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:19 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

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

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

8. Lost Lake & Lost Lake Trail via Rubicon Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Upper Mountain Viewpoint–Quail Lake, 6 sights 3.7 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. Lake Louise–Richardson Lake, 8 sights 4.3 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

11. Bear Lake–Ellis Peak Trail, 3 sights 5.7 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 Lake & Ellis Peak Trail 5.7 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