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 4:01 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:01 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 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 3:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:22 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:22 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 4:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:19 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:19 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 4:45 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:45 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:31 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:31 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 4:08 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:08 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:40 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:40 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 4:07 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:41 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:41 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 6:28 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:28 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car7:22 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 240 ft climb · 19 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

8. Twin Peaks via Pacific Crest Trail 4.3 mi away

   Leave by 4:54 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:54 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car8:18 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 8:18 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

9. Washeshu Peak–High Camp to Emigrant Ridge, 4 sights 4.5 mi away

   Leave by 3:11 PM

   1. Leave trailhead3:11 PM
   2. Sunset7:01 PM
   3. Head back7:16 PM
   4. At your car9:32 PM
   5. Dark7:28 PM

   Back at your car by 9:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.1 mi to the viewpoint · 2820 ft climb · 346 min of walking

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

    Leave by 5:00 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:00 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car8:11 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

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

    Leave by 5:09 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:09 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car8:04 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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

12. Ellis Peak & Ellis Peak Trail 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 6:27 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:27 PM
    2. Sunset7:01 PM
    3. Head back7:16 PM
    4. At your car7:22 PM
    5. Dark7:28 PM

    Back at your car by 7:22 PM — 5 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 250 ft climb · 20 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint