Sunset hikes near Southside Highlands, 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. Donner Lake–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 0 min before dark.

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

2. Roller Pass–Emigrant Trail, 4 sights 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car9:24 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

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

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

3. Castle Peak–Summit Lake, 6 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 3:50 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car9:35 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 9:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

4. Lake Mary–Emigrant Trail, 5 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

5. Emigrant Trail–Mount Judah Loop, 3 sights 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:30 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 0 min before dark.

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

6. Signal Hill–Snowshed, 8 lakes 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:00 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:00 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Donner Peak–Donner Peak Viewpoint, 3 summits 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 45 min of walking

8. Pacific Crest Viewpoint–Petroglyph Cliff, 5 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:03 PM
   3. Head back7:18 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 390 ft climb · 74 min of walking

9. Snowshed–Snowshed North Face, 9 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:41 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:04 PM
   3. Head back7:19 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:30 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 6 min of walking

10. Snowshed East Face–Snowshed, 11 cliffs 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 5:30 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:30 PM
    2. Sunset7:04 PM
    3. Head back7:19 PM
    4. At your car8:24 PM
    5. Dark7:30 PM

    Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Tunnel Rock–Pacific Crest Viewpoint, 3 cliffs 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:15 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:30 PM

    Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 45 min of walking

12. Crows Nest–Snowshed, 7 cliffs 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 4:55 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:55 PM
    2. Sunset7:03 PM
    3. Head back7:18 PM
    4. At your car8:55 PM
    5. Dark7:30 PM

    Back at your car by 8:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 700 ft climb · 206 min of walking