Outbound Collective logo

Catch a Sunset at Twin Peaks Mountain

Poway, California

Details

Distance

2 miles

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Alex Seger

Offering exclusive views of Poway and it's surrounding neighbor cities, along with unparalleled relaxation, Twin Peaks is a diamond in the ruff. Nestle yourself in between some rocks, wait for the sun to set, and enjoy the show! 

Start by parking at Silverset Park. You will see the trail head for Twin Peaks just behind the park.

Park outside of the park if you think you'll be staying past sunset, as the park gates close at dark! 

Once you spot the trail head, veer left to the path heading up towards the peaks. You will eventually get to a fork in the trail. Heading left takes you on a more moderate ascent to one of the peaks, and heading right takes you on a bit more of a strenuous route. I recommend taking a right at this fork, as this peak offers the best views and scenery of the two. Make sure to check the sunset times, and plan accordingly, the trip is 2 miles out and back.

Many people make the hike just to simply enjoy the sunset, and many come up to shoot the picturesque scenery. If your wanting to take some pictures, I recommend bringing a tripod, a Neutral density filter, and a cable release. Set up your tripod on top one of the massive boulders, and frame +focus your shot. I like to put on the ND filter once the sun starts to set, and take 10-15 second exposures at f8-f14. You will have to play with the aperture and the shutter time to get a desirable result. Depending on the filters you use, your camera, and the time of day you go, the timing will be different, so don't be afraid to play around and test out some times. The result will be a smooth, vivid sunset! 

After shooting, take a breather relaxing on the rock taking in the rest of the sunset. It could start to get dark on your descent, so plan accordingly with your light sources. The path itself is filled with rocks and crevices, so be careful when heading back to your car at night!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Scenic

Catch a Sunset at Twin Peaks Mountain Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Relax at Lake Poway

Mount Woodson and Potato Chip Rock

Blue Sky Ecological Reserve to Ramona Dam

Explore Chambers Hidden Dam and Waterfall

Black Mountain Peak via Miner's Ridge Loop Trail

Black Mountain via Nighthawk Trail