# West Coast Equivalent to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069 "2021-12-14T19:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stana\_Claus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stana_claus/32/13874_2.png) [@Stana\_Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stana_Claus)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/1 "2021-12-14T19:49:14Z")
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine is noted as the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States and as such is the 1st place in the U.S. to receive the sun’s rays at sunrise (between October 7 & March 6). What would be the west coast equivalent? Namely, the last place in the lower 48 states of the continental U.S. to receive sunlight at sunset during that same time period? If it turns out to be some jagged peak only accessible by dint of serious mountaineering skills and technical climbing, what would be the highest point one could drive most of the way up to and then make a modest hike/easy climb to a suitable viewpoint (and get safely down from in the dark)? I have seen the sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, and think it would be cool to try to watch the sunset from a similar vantage point on the west coast. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/2 "2021-12-14T20:55:52Z")
I would guess that it’s probably Mt Rainier, almost as high as Whitney and 3 degrees further west. There’s a fabulous trail around it called the Wonderland Trail, but that only goes about halfway up. It’s mountaineering to reach the summit. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/3 "2021-12-14T21:03:40Z")
In the Cascade range, apparently Hart’s Pass is the highest road, but that’s only at 7000 feet. There are roads in California that might be slightly further east but are much higher. I’d guess the place you are looking for is somewhere on this list, depending on what you’d consider “accessible”. > **[Highest roads of California](https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/4589-list-of-sierra-nevada-road-passes.html)** > > Located on the western coast of North America, California is geographically very diverse. It’s the third largest state in the US and is known for its dramatic terrain encompassing cliff-lined beaches. But the eastern part of the state is dotted with... ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/4 "2021-12-14T21:12:44Z")
Hmm, I may have to revise my answer. 0.25 deg longitude corresponds to 1 minute, but it takes several thousand feet of elevation to change sunset time by 1 minute. So we are probably looking for somewhere near the most westerly point, not necessarily a particularly high mountain. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/5 "2021-12-14T21:14:48Z")
> [@Stana\_Claus](#): > > (between October 7 & March 6) I go to Bar Harbor _all the time_, and I never knew this detail. And, boy, do they not mention it up there. My assumption was that it would be first in the summer, because the days are so much shorter there in the winter. Learn something new every day. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/6 "2021-12-14T21:14:50Z")
It’s not a mountain, but Cape Flattery in Washington is the westernmost point in the contiguous U.S. However, it’s so far north the sun may set there earlier than points south (during the same window as the OP). Maybe some place in southern California, around Vandenberg AFB, or one of the Channel Islands? All of the high mountains on the west coast are 100-150 miles inland from the ocean, so I would guess all of the high peaks of the Sierra and Cascades would see the sun setting earlier than some lower points closer to/along the coast (also because the coastal ranges would get in the way). It’s a great question and I would be interested in knowing of there is a known spot for this. Edit: Using this [website](https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@5387244), it looks like most of the central CA coast has sunset at the same time, so no specific point. However, according to the website, Point Reyes has sunset at least one minute later than all the other points I sampled along the coast. Yes, you can drive to the end of the road at the lighthouse - that may be the spot! ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/7 "2021-12-14T22:17:12Z")
> [@Stana\_Claus](#): > > Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine is noted as the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States and as such is the 1st place in the U.S. to receive the sun’s rays at sunrise (between October 7 & March 6). I’ve heard no less then 3 places on the east coast claim that title, Cadillac Mountain, ME, Mt Washington NH and some small township in Eastern ME along the Canadian boarder. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/8 "2021-12-14T22:24:55Z")
Mt. Olympus is nearly 8,000 feet and west of most of the coast. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/9 "2021-12-14T22:37:15Z")
That’s a good call, but by my reckoning: Mt Olympus has elevation 8000ft and is located at 123.7 deg. Cape Alava\* nearby (the most Westerly point in the contiguous mainland) is at 124.7 deg. 1 deg longitude corresponds to 4 minutes. The 8,000ft elevation of Mt Olympus is not enough to offset the 4 minutes. So I think Cape Alava sees the sun later. I’m fairly sure the answer to the OP is either Cape Alava\*, or an island if you’re counting islands. There are no mountains high enough and close enough to make the difference. \*or possibly Cape Flattery, there seems to be some confusion about which is further west, but they are both at sea level ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/10 "2021-12-14T22:53:37Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > or an island if you’re counting islands Tatoosh, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/11 "2021-12-14T22:53:48Z")
I’ve just noticed that the OP stipulated winter. That complicates matters - any reason for that stipulation? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/12 "2021-12-14T23:09:15Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > it takes several thousand feet of elevation to change sunset time by 1 minute I question this. I found what is likely [the same source as you](http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/our-solar-system/161-our-solar-system/the-earth/day-night-cycle/189-how-do-sunrise-and-sunset-times-change-with-altitude-intermediate) that says 5000’ of elevation results in a change of 1 minute in sunrise, but other sources differ. [This one](https://kosherjava.com/2010/03/07/faq-how-much-earlier-is-sunrise-on-mount-everest-due-to-elevation/) says sunset at the top of the Burj Khalifa (2700’) is 4 minutes 35 seconds later than sunset at sea level. My own “experiments” as a kid bear out the larger effect of elevation: I’d watch the sun set into a lake, then run up ~50’ of stairs and have time to watch it again. I think the first calculation is for an observer at the same elevation as the horizon. This doesn’t hold true for an observer on a mountain top, where sunset will be much later. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/13 "2021-12-14T23:09:30Z")
If OP does want winter - being further south will win, it will be somewhere in California. Looking at the shape of coast and just spot checking a few points at today’s date (near the winter solstice) it looks like there’s a whole section of the CA coast from Cape Mendocino south to San Luis Obispo where the coastline runs SSE and the sunset times are almost exactly the same down the entire section - going further S is exactly offset by the coastline being slightly further E. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/14 "2021-12-14T23:10:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > other sources differ. it will differ at different latitudes ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/15 "2021-12-14T23:11:18Z")
True, but not by 1 minute/5000’ versus 9 minutes/5000’ feet. That’s more than latitude differences. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/16 "2021-12-14T23:12:39Z")
Ah, yes, I didn’t notice that part ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/17 "2021-12-14T23:32:46Z")
Whatever the effect of elevation, I’m with you that farther south wins out if we’re looking at winter sunset. I’d guess the latest sunset would be some ocean bluff west of Santa Barbara, before the west coast takes a sharp easterly turn toward Los Angeles. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/18 "2021-12-14T23:40:51Z")
No, I checked on this website at least, and it indicates Vandenberg AFB, which is west of Santa Barbara, sunset today 4:52pm (along with every other place along the westernmost coastal areas of CA), but **Point Reyes** , north of San Francisco, as I mentioned upthread, sunset is 4:53pm… > **[Sunrise and sunset times in Point Reyes](https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/@5387244)** > > Calculations of sunrise and sunset in Point Reyes – California – USA for January 2023. Generic astronomy calculator to calculate times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset for many cities, with daylight saving time and time zones taken in account. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/19 "2021-12-14T23:40:57Z")
Point Reyes and the point SW of Vandenberg AFB both have sunset at exactly 4:53pm today, so I think that long stretch of coastline is all almost exactly the same. It would depend on the exact day, and as you say maybe whether there’s some coastal bluff that just makes the difference. ninjaed by @snowthx - but check “Arlight CA” which appears to be the name of the point SW of Vandenberg AFB, and you get 4:53pm, exactly the same as Point Reyes to the minute! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2021, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069/20 "2021-12-14T23:41:27Z")
The simple way to account for altitude is to use the horizon formula, because a high point is equivalent to a sea-level point at its horizon distance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/west-coast-equivalent-to-cadillac-mountain-in-acadia-np/956069.md?page=2)