Outdoor Project

The ultimate adventure guide

Getting an early start for the Diamond Peak hike. Summit Lake at dawn.

The first great view on the trail up to Diamond Peak. The summit trail leaves just a little farther down the Pacific Crest Trail.

Fireweed (Onagraceae).

The unofficial Diamond Peak Summit Trail leaving from the PCT.

The trail to the summit is well-marked with cairns.

A bleak, steep section to the crest of the false summit. Boots are recommended.

Diamond Peak (8,743 ft) from the false summit.

The north peak from the summit of Diamond Peak.

Looking south over Summit Lake.

The view west toward the Willamette Foothills.

A glaciated valley just north of the summit.

The eastern view of Crescent Lake.

Foreground, bottom: Mount Yoran (7,100 ft). Waldo Lake is north. Peaks, right to left: Broken Top (9,177 ft), South and Middle Sisters (10,358 ft), Mount Washington (7,795 ft), Three Fingered Jack (7,844 ft), Mount Jefferson (10,495 ft), and Mount Hood (1

Summit and Crescent Lakes. The cinder cone near Crescent Lake is Odell Butte (7,032 ft).

The trail junction to Marie and Rockpile lakes from the PCT.

The subtle turn to Rockpile Lake.

The trail to Rockpile Lake from Marie Lake.

An alternate route to Diamond Peak on the way to Marie Lake.

Rockpile Lake.

Marie Lake.

The PCT leading back toward Summit Lake.

A view of Diamond Peak from the PCT.

Poor man's slippery jack (Suillus tomentosus).

The PCT leading back toward Summit Lake.

A clarifying plunge into Summit Lake after a climb up Diamond Peak.