Bend, OR: Diamond Peak via Pacific Crest Trail
Link lake-dotted landscapes, Cascade views, and waterfront campsites on this two-day, 28 miler that climbs an extinct shield volcano in the Diamond Peak Wilderness.
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Start at the Trapper Creek Trailhead and follow the trail 0.2 mile to the first junction. Turn right at the fork for a 1.5-mile stretch along the Whitefish Trail and a gravel road. The route joins the Pacific Crest Trail at Pengra Pass and follows it past lakes, campsites, and views of open meadows (where you may spot roaming black bears) to the foot of Diamond Peak. At mile 12.6, turn right onto a climber’s trail for the 1.3-mile stretch to the top of Diamond Peak. Look out onto lake-speckled landscapes from this Cascade summit, then descend back to Waypoint 18 and turn left, following the same route back to the trailhead.
-Mapped by Trung Q. Le
Trail Facts
- Distance: 22.5
Waypoints
DPL001
Location: 43.5796089, -122.0425034
From the Trapper Creek Trailhead, cross a wide railroad track and pick up the Trapper Creek Trail on the other side (marked with a trail sign).
DPL002
Location: 43.5780106, -122.0455017
Bear right @ Y-intersection. The Whitefish Creek Trail on the left travels south to Diamond View Lake.
DPL003
Location: 43.5778084, -122.046402
Cross a footbridge over Trapper Creek. Roughly 50 feet upstream is a structure that looks like an old dam. Ahead, the trail winds to the northwest toward West Bay Creek.
DPL004
Location: 43.5810509, -122.0512009
Continue straight on Whitefish Trail @ the junction with Yoran Lake Trail. Continue hiking northwest.
DPL005
Location: 43.5814514, -122.0522003
Cross the footbridge over West Bay Creek.
DPL006
Location: 43.5822296, -122.0534973
Cross another creek on a footbridge.
DPL007
Location: 43.5878105, -122.0531998
Turn left @ T-junction onto a gravel road. Ahead: Climb northwest to Pengra Pass. The road passes a parking area on the left.
DPL008
Location: 43.5910988, -122.0577011
Turn hard left onto the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), leaving the gravel road. Note: This is also the trailhead for Bechtel Shelter and the numerous lake hikes located along this section of the PCT.
DPL009
Location: 43.5862694, -122.0731964
Continue straight @ 3-way intersection on the PCT. The trail on the right leads to Bechtel Shelter, a functioning shelter that’s used mainly in winter by Nordic skiers.
DPL010
Location: 43.5841408, -122.0748978
Continue straight on the PCT @ 3-way intersection. To the southwest, Diamond Peak rises above treeline. Campsites: Turn left @ 3-way onto the small trail to reach Midnight Lake. You’ll find several established campsites with fire rings. (You may also see anglers fishing the lake on rafts.)
DPL011
Location: 43.5706902, -122.0970993
Continue straight on the PCT.
The Deer Creak Trail #3692 forks to the right. Ahead, the trail winds southwest. Trees and water are sparse along this stretch.
DPL012
Location: 43.5674095, -122.1023026
Keep straight @ 3-way intersection. The small path to Hidden Lake enters on the left. Here, the trail continues beneath dense tree canopy that reveals few views. Although Hidden Lake can be seen through gaps in the trees, take the side trail down to the lake for up-close views.
DPL013
Location: 43.5627594, -122.1091003
Continue straight @ 3-way intersection. To the left, a small path travels to Lils Lake.
DPL014
Location: 43.5585899, -122.120697
Turn right on the PCT. Continue climbing west on path covered with pine needles. A small scramble trail continues straight to a viewpoint of Diamond Peak.
DPL015
Location: 43.5532447, -122.1316624
Continue straight @ 3-way intersection on the PCT.
The Mount Yoran Trail enters on the right. Ahead, pass a series of small ponds.
DPL016
Location: 43.5420914, -122.1339035
Stop climbing and look to the south for views of Mount Thielsen, Summit Lake and Crescent Lake. Scan the open meadows below and to the east (black bears have been seen roaming this area). Diamond Peak continues to dominate the scenery to the west.
DPL017
Location: 43.5201111, -122.1334
Cross Mountain Creek, a rare water source on this section of the PCT and the Diamond Peak Loop. This is a good spot to filter water while taking in views of the entire Diamond Peak ridgeline. Although this area is slightly marshy, there are a few flat and sandy areas 200 yards down the creek that could be used as campsites.
DPL018
Location: 43.5046746, -122.1428204
Turn right @ 3-way onto the climber’s trail that leads up to the Diamond Peak summit. Trees cover views to the east. To the south, Mount Thielsen can be seen behind Summit Lake.
DPL019
Location: 43.5206718, -122.1495972
Diamond Peak (8,744 ft.): Look out onto lake-speckled landscapes from this Cascade peak. Next, begin the descent back to the trailhead, following the same route.
Footbridge
Location: 43.5813857, -122.0518398
© Trung Q. Le
Mossy Trees
Location: 43.5772209, -122.0829849
© Trung Q. Le
Lils Lake
Location: 43.562668, -122.1084023
© Trung Q. Le
Mount Yoran
Location: 43.5532447, -122.1314049
© Trung Q. Le
Crescent Lake
Location: 43.5478638, -122.1335506
Mount Thielsen and Summit Lake
Location: 43.5417669, -122.1336365
© Trung Q. Le
Diamond Peak Ridgeline
Location: 43.5339894, -122.1219635
© Trung Q. Le
Diamond Peak
Location: 43.5293846, -122.121706
Views of the peak engulfed in clouds. © Trung Q. Le
Mount Thielsen and Summit Lake
Location: 43.5046435, -122.142477
© Trung Q. Le
Marie Lake
Location: 43.4937168, -122.1450949
© Trung Q. Le
