This last summer and autumn I finally climbed a few peaks in Southern Oregon as part of my Oregon 100 Highest Peaks project that either I had neglected for many years, or I had not heard of before starting on the project.
More than twenty years ago I skied from Odell Lake along the PCNST and up to the North Summit of Diamond Peak. From that summit I could see the South (true) summit far away across the summit ridge and planned to return someday to visit it. The years passed and other peaks distracted me from returning.
Diamond Peak, North Summit Ridge from South Summit
This past August I finally gave Diamond Peak an attempt. The east-side access and South Ridge route descriptions I found described auto travel on rough roads (FSRs 6010 and 380) and cross-country hiking and scrambling through mosquito-infested forest and up talus slopes to reach the summit. It was my first visit to the Summit Lake area and the peak’s southern slopes. The descriptions proved accurate and it was very satisfying to finally visit the summit I had planned for so long to reach.
