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 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 4 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 16 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

2. Fern Flat Road–Haines Ranch Road, 3 sights 0.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:49 PM

   1. Be there6:49 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Dark7:35 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:35 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

3. Buzzard Lagoon Spur 1.2 mi away

   Be there by 6:48 PM

   1. Be there6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Dark7:35 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:35 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

4. Skid Road 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:56 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1080 ft climb · 94 min of walking

5. Five Finger Falls–Olive Springs, 6 sights 1.9 mi away

   Leave by 5:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:32 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:17 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Cusack's Trail 2.2 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 3 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 130 ft climb · 18 min of walking

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

   Leave by 6:10 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:10 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 530 ft climb · 62 min of walking

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

   Leave by 6:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car7:55 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

   Back at your car by 7:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 450 ft climb · 75 min of walking

9. Sand Point Overlook–Big Slide Trail, 5 sights 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:09 PM
   3. Head back7:24 PM
   4. At your car8:21 PM
   5. Dark7:35 PM

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

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 630 ft climb · 131 min of walking

10. Olive Springs–Sand Point Overlook, 5 sights 2.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:33 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:33 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car8:16 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

11. Santa Rosalia Mountain–Santa Rosalia Viewpoint, 5 sights 3 mi away

    Leave by 6:02 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car8:17 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 8:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 100 min of walking

12. Aptos Creek Fire Road & Trout Gulch Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:45 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
    2. Sunset7:09 PM
    3. Head back7:24 PM
    4. At your car7:26 PM
    5. Dark7:35 PM

    Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 9 min before dark.

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