Copyright: Willamette National Forest
Diamond Peak
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Description - Diamond Peak Wilderness straddles the Cascade Mountains. Diamond Peak was formed
as the entire land mass of the Cascades was undergoing volcanic activity and uplift. Great glaciers carved the large volcanic peak and when they receded, the bulk of the mountain remained, with snowfields near the summit and dozens of small lakes surrounding the peak. Lakes are one to 28 acres in size.Nearly the entire area is covered with mixed stands of mountain hemlock, lodgepole and western white pine, and silver, noble and other true firs.
Attractions
- Nearly the entire area is covered with mixed stands of mountain hemlock, lodgepole and western white pine, and silver, noble and other true firs. Total Area: 52,337 acres. Elevation: 4,790 ft to 8,744 ft. High-Use Areas: Marie Lake, Divide Lake, and Rockpile Lake are popular base camps for the climb up Diamond Peak. Approximately 14 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail pass through this wilderness. Another 38 miles of trail, including the 10-mile Diamond Peak Trail, stretches the length of the west side of the peak. Marie Lake, Divide Lake, and Rockpile Lake are popular base camps for the climb up Diamond Peak.
Recreation - This Wilderness Area offers hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, picnicking, photography and mountain biking. Climate - Elevations on the Forest range from about 1,500 feet above sea level to 10,495 feet at the snowcapped top of Mt. Jefferson, Oregon's second highest peak. Climate on the Willamette changes with elevation. The area receives a high amount of precipitation. Much of the precipitation comes from October to April in the form of rain at the low elevations and as wet heavy snow in the higher elevations. Although snow is possible in the lowest elevations, it is infrequent. Late spring, summer and early autumn tend to bring clear, sunny days with moderate temperatures. Location -
Diamond Peak Wilderness lies in the Cascades, just west of Crescent and Odell Lake. State Highway 58 to the Pengra Pass trailhead, Hwy. 58 to Road 23 and Road 2149, Hwy. 58
to Road 5810 to the Yoran Trailhead. Hwy. 58 to Road 60 to the Whitefish, Fawn Lake and
Windy-Oldenburg Trailheads. Hwy. 58 to Road 60 to Road 6010 to the Snell Lake and Summit Lake Trailheads.
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