Sunset hikes near Rainbow, 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. Lake Sterling–Mossy Pond, 5 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car7:50 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:50 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 9 min of walking

2. Upper Lola Montez Lake & Lily Pond via Rattlesnake Road 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car9:18 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 890 ft climb · 206 min of walking

3. Lily Pond & Rattlesnake Road 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:57 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:57 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM — 2 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 23 min of walking

4. Lower Lola Montez Lake–Lily Pond, 4 sights 4.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM — 1 min before dark.

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 25 min of walking

5. Cascade Lakes & Palisades Creek Trail 5.1 mi away

   Be there by 7:10 PM

   1. Be there7:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Dark7:57 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:57 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Kidd Lake & Kilborn Lake via Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM — 9 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

7. Snowshed East Face–Snowshed, 11 cliffs 5.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car8:50 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 8:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.6 mi to the viewpoint · 370 ft climb · 139 min of walking

8. Serene Lakes–Kilborn Lake, 7 sights 5.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:30 PM
   3. Head back7:45 PM
   4. At your car9:53 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 9:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 650 ft climb · 263 min of walking

9. Kilborn Lake via Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail 6.6 mi away

   Leave by 7:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:29 PM
   3. Head back7:44 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:57 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking

10. Hole in the Ground–Lower Lola Montez Trail, 3 sights 6.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:30 PM
    3. Head back7:45 PM
    4. At your car9:23 PM
    5. Dark7:57 PM

    Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.0 mi to the viewpoint · 900 ft climb · 221 min of walking

11. Walker Mine Trail 6.7 mi away

    Be there by 7:10 PM

    1. Be there7:10 PM
    2. Sunset7:30 PM
    3. Dark7:57 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:57 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Memorial Overland Emigrant Trail 6.8 mi away

    Leave by 7:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:29 PM
    3. Head back7:44 PM
    4. At your car7:48 PM
    5. Dark7:57 PM

    Back at your car by 7:48 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 7 min of walking