Sunset hikes

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. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 0 mi away

   Be there by 7:53 PM

   1. Be there7:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Dark8:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

2. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 7:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:39 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:39 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:39 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 24 min of walking

3. Buzzard Lagoon Spur 2 mi away

   Be there by 7:52 PM

   1. Be there7:52 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Dark8:41 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 8:41 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Five Finger Falls–Olive Springs, 6 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 130 min of walking

5. Cusack's Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 7:36 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:36 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:43 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

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

   0.5 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 32 min of walking

6. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:49 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:49 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car8:30 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 8:30 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 6 min of walking

7. Olive Springs–Sand Point Overlook, 5 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:20 PM
   5. Dark8:42 PM

   Back at your car by 9:20 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.1 mi to the viewpoint · 860 ft climb · 128 min of walking

8. Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights 3.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car9:45 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

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

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 720 ft climb · 171 min of walking

9. Aptos Creek Road–Big Stump Gap Trail, 5 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:28 PM
   2. Sunset8:13 PM
   3. Head back8:28 PM
   4. At your car10:52 PM
   5. Dark8:41 PM

   Back at your car by 10:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 760 ft climb · 289 min of walking

10. Skid Road 1.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:46 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:46 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:02 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 9:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1160 ft climb · 101 min of walking

11. AJ's Point of View–Eagle In Tree (rest stop), 3 viewpoints 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 7:07 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:07 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car8:54 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 640 ft climb · 73 min of walking

12. Eagle In Tree (rest stop) via Byrne Trail 2.7 mi away

    Leave by 6:57 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:57 PM
    2. Sunset8:13 PM
    3. Head back8:28 PM
    4. At your car9:07 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 9:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 760 ft climb · 94 min of walking