Diamond Peak, Pacific Crest

I set off from the western flank of Mount Thielsen, the trail leading me north through the Mount Thielsen Wilderness. I passed over Windigo Pass, the path descending and rising again as I reached a ridge that allowed me to pause and enjoy the view of Windigo Lakes below.

A few miles later, I hiked around the west side of Cowhorn Mountain. The upper portion of the mountain was fully exposed to the sun, and the hike to the summit proved challenging. The scree was loose beneath my feet, making each step feel uncertain. I had to scramble over rocks, carefully finding my footing as I climbed higher. The effort was exhausting. My heart was pounding, my quads burning, and my muscles twitching from the strain. I sat to recover, letting the fatigue settle while taking a long swig of my electrolyte water. As I caught my breath, I snapped a few photos of Crescent Lake below, its crescent shape curving gracefully around a sandy shoreline, a gorgeous contrast against the deep green of the surrounding forest.

I continued along the ridge, the trail weaving through the woods as I descended. The path skirted the west end of Summit Lake for about 1.5mi (2.4km), passing tarns scattered across the landscape before I arrived at the base of Diamond Peak. As I climbed higher, the air grew thinner, and the landscape became more dramatic, the slopes of Diamond Peak rising steeply before me.

Diamond Peak, a 100,000-year-old volcano, loomed in front of me. I marvelled at the steep, craggy slopes and the sharp ridges cutting across the mountainside. Glaciers had carved deep cirques into the rock, leaving behind dramatic amphitheatre-like valleys. Making my way up the eastern flank of the peak, I looked up at its full height, feeling somewhat small standing there. The wilderness around me was alive with conifers, flowers, and wildlife, including the occasional raven soaring overhead. 

The mountain sits within the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests, both established in the early 20th century. Willamette National Forest was created by merging two forests, with one-fifth of its land designated wilderness. It became a focal point in the battle between loggers and environmentalists working to protect the endangered northern spotted owl, which led to logging restrictions in its habitat. Deschutes National Forest, formed from parts of three forests, is known for its old-growth areas and over 250 documented caves, ranging from lava tubes to ice caves, some of which provide a unique habitat for bats and other wildlife.