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, 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.
| 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 |
