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. Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 4:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car9:25 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.0 mi to the viewpoint · 850 ft climb · 276 min of walking

2. Rock Lake–Summit Lake, 4 sights 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:04 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car9:36 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.4 mi to the viewpoint · 880 ft climb · 297 min of walking

3. Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights 2.7 mi away

   Leave by 3:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car10:10 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

   6.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1380 ft climb · 374 min of walking

4. Summit Lake–Elephant Rock Lake, 3 lakes 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car7:45 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 7:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 63 min of walking

5. Forest Route 6N84 1 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 49 min of walking

6. Forest Route 7N27 0.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:18 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:18 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 150 ft climb · 43 min of walking

7. Forest Route 6N29Y & Forest Route 7N38 0 mi away

   Be there by 6:40 PM

   1. Be there6:40 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Dark7:27 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:27 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Spicer Meadow Reservoir–Forest Route 7N38, 3 sights 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:42 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car9:00 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

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

   3.9 mi to the viewpoint · 770 ft climb · 223 min of walking

9. Forest Route 7N38 via Wolfe-Bray Trail 0.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:24 PM
   2. Sunset7:00 PM
   3. Head back7:15 PM
   4. At your car9:17 PM
   5. Dark7:27 PM

   Back at your car by 9:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.6 mi to the viewpoint · 820 ft climb · 257 min of walking

10. Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail–Bee Gulch Trail, 9 sights 3.8 mi away

    Leave by 5:18 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:18 PM
    2. Sunset7:00 PM
    3. Head back7:15 PM
    4. At your car8:26 PM
    5. Dark7:27 PM

    Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 153 min of walking

11. Bear Trap Basin (17E27)–Corral Gulch Rd (MC2CT) FS-17EV485, 6 sights 3.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:35 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
    2. Sunset7:00 PM
    3. Head back7:15 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:27 PM

    Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 640 ft climb · 111 min of walking

12. Lake Alpine–207b, 9 sights 4.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:05 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
    2. Sunset7:00 PM
    3. Head back7:15 PM
    4. At your car7:51 PM
    5. Dark7:27 PM

    Back at your car by 7:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.2 mi to the viewpoint · 210 ft climb · 71 min of walking