Diamond Peak, South Ridge

Activity Notes

Diamond Peak, elev. 8,744 ft., is located in the Diamond Peak Wilderness area southwest of Odell and Crescent Lakes east of Willamette Pass. The mountain was formed as the entire land mass of the Cascades was undergoing volcanic activity and uplift. Great glaciers carved the large volcanic peak. When they receded the carved bulk of the mountain remained, with snowfields near the summit, and dozens of small lakes surrounding Diamond Peak near the perimeter of the Wilderness. Many of these lakes (1 to 28 acres in size) fill depressions gouged out by the movement of glaciers.  Approximately 14 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) pass through this wilderness area. The mountain was named in the mid 1800’s by John Diamond, an early settler. The first recorded ascent was in 1852. This peak is a gentle walk up with great views of the Central Oregon Cascades, and is a popular ski mountaineering trip in early season.

This is an exploratory climb, meaning the leader has never climbed this peak.