Sunset Peak in Mt Baldy, San Bernardino County, is a solid afternoon hike if you want big views without spending all day on the trail. The 1.5-mile route to the summit gives you a real sense of accomplishment without being punishing, and the payoff is a panoramic view across the horseshoe-shaped ridge that wraps around the upper end of San Antonio Canyon. On clear days, the vista opens up nicely, and sunset actually does deserve its name—the light hitting those ridges is worth timing right.

The trail works well with dogs because it’s manageable for most fitness levels and shorter dogs won’t be wiped out by the end. You get elevation gain and real hiking without the commitment of some of those longer Mt Baldy routes. The exposed sections mean sun exposure, so bring water for both you and your dog, especially on warmer days. The ridge-top setting means wind can pick up, which actually keeps things cooler than you’d expect for a south-facing slope.

What makes this useful is that it’s accessible from the Mt Baldy area without needing special permits or dealing with the crowds that swarm some of the more famous peaks nearby. You can do this as a standalone trip or pair it with exploring other parts of the San Antonio Canyon area if you have the time. The views give you that sense of having gotten somewhere, which matters when you’re hiking with a dog who depends on you to make it worth the effort.

Since you’re heading out to Mt Baldy anyway, stop by summitpost.org/sunset-peak/265721 to check current trail conditions before you go. Weather can change quickly at elevation, even on what looked like a clear morning.