Summit Sunset

Sunset Hike to Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Two hikers laughing and taking photos at the sunset at the summit of Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

A sunset summit hike doesn’t get better than Bald Mountain in Sonoma’s Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Set in the Mayacamas Mountains and straddling Sonoma and Napa, fall brings crisp air and good hiking conditions for longer treks. (Spring and early summer bring bonuses: Wildflowers patch across vast meadows, and the rolling landscape resembles the foothills of the Swiss Alps.) Bald Mountain summit delivers the ultimate panorama of wine country, all the way out to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

It’s a 6-mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet, so give yourself plenty of time. Your aim is to get to the summit before sunset and give yourself time to soak in the scenery before descending. Start at the Lower Bald Mountain Trail, then connect with the Bald Mountain Trail to the summit.

Winding up among grassy meadows and under a mixed forest of oaks, madrone, and gray pine, you’ll emerge to mostly exposed sections, with plenty of chapparal and swaths of grassland dappled or sometimes drenched in color thanks to florals like lupine, popcorn flower, and the California poppy. A lone picnic table sits close to the summit, spectacular for its vantage over the park’s vast, hilly terrain.

Bald Mountain summit is wowing (and sometimes windy). On clear evenings you’ll see the Sierra Nevada range, the lights of San Francisco dazzling in the distance, and Mount Saint Helena lording in a way that feels close enough to touch (or elbow-greet!). Twirl around and take it in. For the best and safest route back down as it gets dark, take Bald Mountain Trail all the way to Stern Trail, which goes back to the parking area. Bring a flashlight or headlamp for extra measure.

BONUS CAMPING: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has camping for Tents and RVs, along with 3 glamping sites, as well as tent rental. If there are no more spots available on Reservecalifornia.com, you can still try to get a first-come-first-served camping spot the day you want to arrive by calling the park at 10 a.m. or later:  (707) 833-6084 or (707) 833-5712. Good luck!

From Hwy. 12 in Sonoma Valley, go east on Adobe Canyon Rd. in Kenwood. Drive 3.5 miles to the park entrance. $8 entrance fee. Your best route for a sunset hike is Lower Bald Mountain to Bald Mountain Trail to the summit; then for descending, take Bald Mountain Trail to Stern Trail, and follow that back to the parking area. The park usually has maps, but we recommend printing one out beforehand to be safe. Give yourself ninety minutes to two hours to walk to the summit. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. No dogs hiking. Camping is dog-friendly.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View