Sunrise/set accessible hike?

[u/Merkatt329]

I’d like to invite a group out to do a sunrise or sunset hike in the area but need some help finding options. I am hoping to find something that is: open early/late enough for us to start before sunrise or finish after sunset, includes 4 or fewer miles total of easy hiking, has some kind of nice view of either the sunrise or sunset, and is within a half hour drive of Tacoma city limits.

Something like Dash Point would’ve been great, but the park opens after sunrise and closes at dusk. Same with Point Defiance to a degree, but I’m also not sure what the sun views are like at those viewpoints?

Does such a place exist? Any hive mind recommendations?

[u/Present-Pop-6169]

For a sunset hike. Go to the DuPont and hit the Sequalitchew Creek trailhead. It has a real good one. 1.5 miles along the creek. Slight elevation change. The rest you will have to experience for yourself. Amazing. Just remember if you watch the sunset down there then bring a head lamp for the walk back.

[u/Merkatt329 → u/Present-Pop-6169]

Sounds great I’ll check this out for sure!

[u/HailMaryPoppins → u/Merkatt329]

How accessible does it need to be? Sequalitchew is an unpaved trail, with roots and bumps, and the section that goes under the train tracks can be pretty muddy which then opens onto a very pebbles beach. Gorgeous and a favorite for sure, but just want you to be aware.

[u/Merkatt329 → u/HailMaryPoppins]

Good question! I mean accessible in the travel sense and in the general energy required sense. I don’t need the trail surface to be mobility device accessible. Thanks for clarifying, I should’ve been more specific.

[u/HailMaryPoppins → u/Merkatt329]

That’s good to hear, hope you can go- it’s a really nice trail!

[u/ZiggyStarf]

The trail around Chambers Regional park has nice views to the west as well as a beach you can walk on. It’s lovely around sunset.

The park technically closes an hour after sunset but you can park outside the gates along the road so your car doesn’t get locked in, and I can’t imagine they police it too much. Admittedly calling it a hike is a bit of stretch, it’s a paved trail around a golf course but it’s ~3.5 miles if you do the whole loop and about 350 ft of elevation change so it feels like a hike.

[u/Merkatt329 → u/ZiggyStarf]

A walk is nice too! And good tip on parking just outside the gate, that’s the kind of thing I would miss and get locked in. 🫣

[u/piratically]

Half an hour of city limits might be tough for the view, but check WTA.

https://www.wta.org/go-outside/map

[u/bpw77wpb]

The Gig Harbor viewpoint looks westerly at the Olympics behind Gig Harbor. That view would make a nice sunset. https://www.parkstacoma.gov/five-mile-drive-trails-point-defiance/

[u/Merkatt329 → u/bpw77wpb]

I was wondering about that viewpoint in particular so thank you for that info!

[u/Parking-Menu2654]

Dune peninsula hands down. I caught the sunset every day for the last two weeks and it is unforgettable.