Diamond Lake Trail
Description:
The Diamond Lake Trail begins on the Arapaho Pass Trail about a mile from
the Fourth of July Trailhead. From the Arapaho Pass Trail, this trail descends
about .6 miles to the North Fork of Middle Boulder Creek. The trail is very
wet in spots due to many small streams flowing down the slope to the creek
at the bottom of the valley. It crosses the North Fork Middle Boulder Creek
over a log bridge with a railing. From the other side of the creek, the
trail winds its way through spruce forest and wet meadows as it ascends
about .9 miles to Diamond Lake. It can be quite muddy in spots. Log bridges
are provided in some of the wetter areas.
Diamond
Lake sits on a bench with a large grassy meadow to the north and east. The
trail is a fairly gentle climb most of the way until you get near the top
where it becomes more moderate. Once on top it is fairly level. The trail
splits just past the meadow, with the right fork leading to the lake and
the left fork continuing another 2.1 miles to join the Devils Thumb Trail
just east of Jasper Lake. There are ten designated campsites around the
lake. Site one is reserved for organized groups with six or more people.
Camping is permitted in designated sites only and campfires are not allowed.
There is a trail that travels about two thirds of the way around the lake.
Fishing is good for rainbow, cutthroat,
and brook trout in the lake. Camping is permitted at designated sites only
in the area around Diamond Lake. Both day use and overnight use of this
trail is very high. Hiking on the trail is of low to moderate difficulty.
It takes about one hour to hike from the Arapaho Pass Trail to the lake.
Features:
| Length: |
3.6 miles (5.8 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
10,560' - 11,178' |
| Elevation change: |
951 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
High |
| USGS maps: |
East Portal, Monarch Lake |
| Trailheads: |
Fourth of July, Hessie |
| Restrictions: |
Pets must be on a leash, no campfires,
designated camping around Diamond Lake |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (no bicycles in wilderness) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Not permitted |
Vicinity
Map
Altitude Profile
Other
Nearby Resources:
Directions:
The
Diamond Lake Trail is located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness and can be reached
from the north via the Arapaho Pass Trail and on the south from the Devils
Thumb Trail.
Take
County Road 130 west from Nederland to County Road 111 (about 5 miles). Continue
on 111 for another five miles to the Fourth of July Trailhead. Hike the Arapaho
Pass Trail for about a mile to the Diamond Lake Trail.
Take County Road 130 west from Nederland about five miles
to the Hessie Trailhead. Travel west and north (about 3.8 miles) on the
Devils Thumb Trail to the south end of the Diamond Lake Trail.
Copyright © 1999-2003 Resource Analysis
Systems
All rights reserved
