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. Ward Peak via Tahoe Rim Trail 1.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:11 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car10:24 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 10:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.8 mi to the viewpoint · 1480 ft climb · 278 min of walking

2. Scott Peak–Ward Peak, 4 summits 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 4:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car10:32 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 10:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1830 ft climb · 304 min of walking

3. Stanford Rock–Barker Pass, 3 summits 2.3 mi away

   Leave by 5:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:29 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car10:28 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 10:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.4 mi to the viewpoint · 1130 ft climb · 265 min of walking

4. Pacific Crest Trail 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 5:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:54 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:40 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 9:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1460 ft climb · 190 min of walking

5. Ellis Lake–Lake Louise, 6 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:17 PM
   2. Sunset8:10 PM
   3. Head back8:25 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

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

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2270 ft climb · 237 min of walking

6. Lake Louise–Richardson Lake, 8 sights 3.4 mi away

   Leave by 5:17 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:17 PM
   2. Sunset8:10 PM
   3. Head back8:25 PM
   4. At your car9:50 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

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

   3.5 mi to the viewpoint · 2270 ft climb · 239 min of walking

7. Upper Mountain Viewpoint–Quail Lake, 6 sights 3.7 mi away

   Leave by 7:32 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car8:34 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Twin Peaks via Pacific Crest Trail 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:04 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:04 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:27 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

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

   2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 1510 ft climb · 168 min of walking

9. Historic Western States Trail & Whiskey Creek Trail 4.9 mi away

   Leave by 6:09 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:09 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:21 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 9:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 1540 ft climb · 156 min of walking

10. Five Lakes Trailhead & Five Lakes Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 4.9 mi away

    Leave by 6:19 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:19 PM
    2. Sunset8:11 PM
    3. Head back8:26 PM
    4. At your car9:13 PM
    5. Dark8:40 PM

    Back at your car by 9:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1470 ft climb · 139 min of walking

11. Ellis Peak & Ellis Peak Trail 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 7:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
    2. Sunset8:11 PM
    3. Head back8:26 PM
    4. At your car8:34 PM
    5. Dark8:40 PM

    Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 330 ft climb · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Buck Lake–Ellis Lake, 5 sights 5.6 mi away

    Leave by 7:32 PM

    1. Leave trailhead7:32 PM
    2. Sunset8:11 PM
    3. Head back8:26 PM
    4. At your car8:34 PM
    5. Dark8:40 PM

    Back at your car by 8:34 PM — 6 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 340 ft climb · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint