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. Hash Boulder–Parking Lot Rock, 6 rocks 0 mi away

   Leave by 3:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car10:30 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   7.2 mi to the viewpoint · 1530 ft climb · 406 min of walking

2. Shady Rock–Platypus, 9 rocks 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:21 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:21 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car10:09 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 10:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1890 ft climb · 373 min of walking

3. Castle Rock–Balancing Rock, 7 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car9:52 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1820 ft climb · 338 min of walking

4. Castle Rock Falls–Saratoga Gap Viewpoint, 8 sights 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 3:40 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 9:50 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 1810 ft climb · 336 min of walking

5. Lyme Disease Rock–Lake Ranch Reservoir, 4 sights 1.5 mi away

   Be there by 6:50 PM

   1. Be there6:50 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Dark7:36 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:36 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Parking Lot Rock & Lyme Disease Rock via Skyline Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car8:16 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 400 ft climb · 109 min of walking

7. Madrone Knoll & Madrone Knoll Trail 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:52 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

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

   1.1 mi to the viewpoint · 540 ft climb · 70 min of walking

8. Araki Road 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.4 mi to the viewpoint · 390 ft climb · 96 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

9. Lake Ranch Reservoir–John Nicholas Trail, 3 sights 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:10 PM
   3. Head back7:25 PM
   4. At your car7:28 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:28 PM — 8 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 8 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

10. Limekiln Trail & Priest Rock Trail 3.8 mi away

    Leave by 4:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:18 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car9:00 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1960 ft climb · 247 min of walking

11. El Sombroso–Priest Rock Trail, 3 sights 3.8 mi away

    Leave by 4:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead4:19 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car9:00 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 9:00 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1950 ft climb · 246 min of walking

12. Ridge Road & South Skyview Road 3.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:48 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:48 PM
    2. Sunset7:10 PM
    3. Head back7:25 PM
    4. At your car7:27 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 9 min before dark.

    0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walking