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. Blue Gramma–Coal Creek Trail, 3 sights 3.1 mi away

   Leave by 4:51 PM

   1. Leave trailhead4:51 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car10:03 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 10:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   5.6 mi to the viewpoint · 277 min of walking

2. Josh's Pond via Lake Link Trail 0.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car7:49 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:49 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 12 min of walking

3. Louisville Reservoir Number 1–Frank Varra Pond, 4 sights 1.2 mi away

   Leave by 7:06 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:06 PM
   2. Sunset7:28 PM
   3. Head back7:43 PM
   4. At your car7:44 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:44 PM — 11 min before dark.

   0.1 mi to the viewpoint · 4 min of walkingTrailhead visible from the viewpoint

4. Lake Link Trail 2.9 mi away

   Leave by 7:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead7:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car7:48 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 7:48 PM — 7 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 10 min of walking

5. Wildlife Viewing & Cradleboard Trail via Lake Link Trail 0.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:12 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.6 mi to the viewpoint · 180 ft climb · 182 min of walking

6. McKay Lake via Lake Link Trail 2.1 mi away

   Leave by 6:35 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:35 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car8:15 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.3 mi to the viewpoint · 60 ft climb · 65 min of walking

7. Stearns Lake–Cascade Lake, 8 sights 0.7 mi away

   Be there by 7:07 PM

   1. Be there7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Dark7:55 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:55 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

8. Coal Creek Trail & Ruth Roberts Connector Trail via Anthem Trail 2 mi away

   Be there by 7:07 PM

   1. Be there7:07 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Dark7:55 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:55 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Cascade Lake–Buffalo Lake, 3 lakes 2 mi away

   Leave by 5:19 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:19 PM
   2. Sunset7:27 PM
   3. Head back7:42 PM
   4. At your car9:37 PM
   5. Dark7:55 PM

   Back at your car by 9:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 223 min of walking

10. Cascade Lake–Buffalo Lake, 3 lakes 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:06 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:06 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car8:44 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.5 mi to the viewpoint · 122 min of walking

11. Buffalo Lake–Coal Creek Trail, 5 sights 5.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:22 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:22 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car9:31 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 9:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    4.3 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 214 min of walking

12. Vista Pointe Trail & Vista Ridge Community Trail 6.1 mi away

    Leave by 5:40 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:40 PM
    2. Sunset7:27 PM
    3. Head back7:42 PM
    4. At your car9:06 PM
    5. Dark7:55 PM

    Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 140 ft climb · 171 min of walking