Sunset hikes near Rampart, 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. Scott Peak–Ward Peak, 4 summits 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 4:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:48 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1830 ft climb · 304 min of walking

2. Ward Peak via Tahoe Rim Trail 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 4:27 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:27 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:40 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1480 ft climb · 278 min of walking

3. Washeshu Peak–High Camp to Emigrant Ridge, 4 sights 2.6 mi away

   Leave by 3:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:58 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2820 ft climb · 346 min of walking

4. Pacific Crest Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1460 ft climb · 190 min of walking

5. Stanford Rock–Barker Pass, 3 summits 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:45 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1130 ft climb · 265 min of walking

6. Five Lakes Trailhead & Five Lakes Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 3.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1470 ft climb · 139 min of walking

7. Twin Peaks via Pacific Crest Trail 3.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1510 ft climb · 168 min of walking

8. Historic Western States Trail & Whiskey Creek Trail 4 mi away

   Leave by 5:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:37 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 8:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1540 ft climb · 156 min of walking

9. Granite Chief–Lake Cushing, 5 sights 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:06 PM
   5. Dark7:54 PM

   Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1950 ft climb · 227 min of walking

10. Five Lakes Creek Trail–Thunder Mountain Trail, 4 sights 4.6 mi away

    Leave by 4:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:57 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 8:57 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2110 ft climb · 213 min of walking

11. Lake Cushing–Granite Chief Trail, 4 sights 4.7 mi away

    Leave by 4:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car9:39 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

    Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 2260 ft climb · 298 min of walking

12. Shirley Lake–Granite Chief Trail, 5 sights 4.8 mi away

    Leave by 3:52 PM

    1. Leave trailhead3:52 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car9:49 PM
    5. Dark7:54 PM

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

    5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2350 ft climb · 322 min of walking