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. Thunder Mountain–Caples Crest, 7 sights 0 mi away

   Leave by 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car8:36 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 8:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1620 ft climb · 197 min of walking

2. Caples Crest–Carson Emigrant National Recreational Trail Loop, 10 sights 0.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car8:47 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 8:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1710 ft climb · 223 min of walking

3. Castle Point Trail–Forbidden Forest, 3 sights 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car8:54 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 8:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 930 ft climb · 198 min of walking

4. Castle Point–Castle Point Trail, 3 sights 0.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car8:53 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 8:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 920 ft climb · 196 min of walking

5. Kirkwood Lake via Lake Margaret Trail 1.4 mi away

   Be there by 6:41 PM

   1. Be there6:41 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Dark7:29 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:29 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

6. Lake Margaret & Lake Margaret Trail 1.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:42 PM

   1. Be there6:42 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Dark7:29 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:29 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

7. Strawberry Pass–Schneider Camp 4WD Trail, 3 sights 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:59 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:59 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:53 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

   Back at your car by 7:53 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 350 ft climb · 79 min of walking

8. Showers Lake–Little Round Top Trail Loop, 5 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:36 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 510 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

9. Carson Pass & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset7:02 PM
   3. Head back7:17 PM
   4. At your car7:35 PM
   5. Dark7:29 PM

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

   0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 470 ft climb · 51 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

10. 10N01 & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:35 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 480 ft climb · 51 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

11. Stevens Peak & Schneider Camp Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 490 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Round Lake–Dardanelles Lake, 6 sights 3.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:08 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:08 PM
    2. Sunset7:02 PM
    3. Head back7:17 PM
    4. At your car7:36 PM
    5. Dark7:29 PM

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

    0.8 mi to the viewpoint · 500 ft climb · 53 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint