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 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:27 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Rock Lake–Elephant Rock Lake, 3 lakes 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.9 mi to the viewpoint · 430 ft climb · 105 min of walking

3. Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 3:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car10:11 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 10:11 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 0 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

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

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

5. Forest Route 6N84 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:14 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:14 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:38 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

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

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

6. Forest Route 7N27 1.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:37 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Spicer Meadow Reservoir–Forest Route 7N38, 3 sights 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:44 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:44 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:02 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

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

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

8. Forest Route 7N38 via Wolfe-Bray Trail 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:26 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:26 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car9:18 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Forest Route 6N29Y & Forest Route 7N38 0.3 mi away

   Be there by 6:42 PM

   1. Be there6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Dark7:28 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:28 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

10. Elephant Rock Lake–Elephant Rock Trail, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:38 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

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

    0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 420 ft climb · 55 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

11. Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail–Bee Gulch Trail, 9 sights 3.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car8:28 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 8:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Lake Alpine–207b, 9 sights 4 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:52 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

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

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