Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Located in an ignored area of Oregon this is a walk up peak with minimal technical climbing skills needed. There is some 3rd class climbing along a moderately exposed ridge near the top. You will find views from Hood to Shasta on the roomy summit, but probably not too many other people.
Activity Notes
Diamond Peak South route:
11.5 miles (round trip) / Elevation Gain 3200 feet / Summit 8743 ft / Hiking time 6 hours
Diamond Peak summit is one of the best and most underrated summit hikes in the Oregon Cascade range. It is south of Williamette pass, east of Oakridge. There are a few different routes up the mountain, but the route starting at Summit Lake is the easiest. This is a rocky trail mostly class 1-2. Summit Lake is the starting point, and has a small first come first serve campground; there is also a primitive camping along the Pacific Crest Trail near Summit Lake, as well as near small ponds on the way to the Diamond Peak climber trail.
We will drive down Saturday morning and hike in a little ways to a back country campsite in the afternoon. Sunday we will rise early and climb to the summit. Return to camp, hike out and return to Portland Sunday evening.
This very suitable for new BCEP grads and those who like easy scrambles in a lesser climbed Oregon location.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 180 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 3 hours |
| Distance - Round Trip | 11 miles |
| General Route Info | Several trailhead options exist for the start of this climb, all to the south of Diamond Peak: Rockpile Lake (≈5200 ft elev.), Diamond Peak (5489 ft elev.) and the PCT at Summit Lake (5601 ft elev.). Amount of cross-country travel and distance to summit varies depending upon which TH is chosen. All eventually end up on the south ridge. Access to any of these trailheads is limited by snowpack. |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Relevant Books | 75 Scrambles in Oregon, Best Non-technical Ascents by Barbara Bond Climbers Guide to Oregon by Nicholas Dodge |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, Diamond Peak and Emigrant Butte. |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
