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. Scott Peak–Ward Peak, 4 summits 0.2 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

2. Stanford Rock–Barker Pass, 3 summits 1.5 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

3. Pacific Crest Trail 2.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:16 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:16 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:15 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 9:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1510 ft climb · 145 min of walking

4. Five Lakes Trailhead & Five Lakes Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 3 mi away

   Leave by 5:53 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:53 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:47 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 9:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 1380 ft climb · 200 min of walking

5. Twin Peaks via Pacific Crest Trail 3.5 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

6. Ward Peak 3.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:24 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:24 PM
   2. Sunset8:11 PM
   3. Head back8:26 PM
   4. At your car9:14 PM
   5. Dark8:40 PM

   Back at your car by 9:14 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.0 mi to the viewpoint · 1300 ft climb · 135 min of walking

7. Lake Louise–Richardson Lake, 8 sights 3.8 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

8. Historic Western States Trail & Whiskey Creek Trail 3.8 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

9. Upper Mountain Viewpoint–Quail Lake, 6 sights 4 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

10. Ellis Peak & Ellis Peak Trail 5 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

11. Ellis Lake & 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 · 340 ft climb · 26 min of walkingCar visible from the viewpoint

12. Five Lakes Creek Trail–Thunder Mountain Trail, 4 sights 5.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:25 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:25 PM
    2. Sunset8:11 PM
    3. Head back8:26 PM
    4. At your car9:44 PM
    5. Dark8:41 PM

    Back at your car by 9:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 2230 ft climb · 224 min of walking