Sunset hikes near Ponderosa Palisades, 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. Lookout Mountain–Boulder Dash, 7 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 4:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:19 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 10:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1200 ft climb · 341 min of walking

2. Everest–Far Side, 4 sights 2.6 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

3. Donner Lake Rim Viewpoint–Alder Creek Trail, 11 sights 2 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

4. Erika's Trail–Martis Valley Trail, 4 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 160 ft climb · 204 min of walking

5. Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 6 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:24 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 410 ft climb · 210 min of walking

6. Donner Lake–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 5.7 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

7. Lake Mary–Emigrant Trail, 5 sights 6 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

8. Roller Pass–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 6 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

9. Elizabethtown Meadows Trail Loop 6 mi away

   Leave by 6:34 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:34 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 73 min of walking

10. Emigrant Trail–Mount Judah Loop, 3 sights 6.3 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

11. Chipmunk–KB Trail, 3 sights 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:22 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 8:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 870 ft climb · 108 min of walking

12. California Tahoe Conservancy Beach–Moon Dunes Beach, 3 beaches 6.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:23 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.7 mi to the viewpoint · 870 ft climb · 108 min of walking