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. Bear Trap Basin (17E27)–Corral Gulch Rd (MC2CT) FS-17EV485, 6 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car8:27 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 8:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

2. Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail–Bee Gulch Trail, 9 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

3. Poison Canyon–Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail, 7 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car8:52 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 710 ft climb · 154 min of walking

4. Reba–Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail, 5 sights 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.3 mi to the viewpoint · 900 ft climb · 186 min of walking

5. Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:39 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:39 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car9:51 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 9:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

6. Rock Lake–Summit Lake, 4 sights 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 4:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car10:01 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 10:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

7. Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 4:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car10:23 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 10:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   6.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1120 ft climb · 342 min of walking

8. Summit Lake–Elephant Rock Lake, 3 lakes 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:33 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:33 PM
   2. Sunset7:25 PM
   3. Head back7:40 PM
   4. At your car8:10 PM
   5. Dark7:52 PM

   Back at your car by 8:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Forest Route 6N84 0.4 mi away

   Leave by 6:37 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:37 PM
   2. Sunset7:26 PM
   3. Head back7:41 PM
   4. At your car8:02 PM
   5. Dark7:53 PM

   Back at your car by 8:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

10. Forest Route 7N27 0 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:26 PM
    3. Head back7:41 PM
    4. At your car8:01 PM
    5. Dark7:53 PM

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

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

11. Forest Route 6N29Y & Forest Route 7N38 0.8 mi away

    Be there by 7:06 PM

    1. Be there7:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:26 PM
    3. Dark7:52 PM

    Your car is right there — dark at 7:52 PM.

    The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

12. Spicer Meadow Reservoir–Forest Route 7N38, 3 sights 0.9 mi away

    Leave by 5:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:26 PM
    3. Head back7:41 PM
    4. At your car9:26 PM
    5. Dark7:52 PM

    Back at your car by 9:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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