Divide Lake Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Vivian Lake Trailhead
- End point: Divide Lake
- Hike Type: Out and back
- Distance: 8 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
- High point: 6,460 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Mid-July through October
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: No
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Hike Description
This hike takes you into the Diamond Peak Wilderness using the Vivian Lake and Mt. Yoran trails. The grade is very gentle to begin with, but even with a few steeper sections on the Mt. Yoran Trail, this route is not a challenge. The best time to go is late summer/early fall - after the mosquitoes have dissipated.
The hike starts out on the Vivian Lake Trail #3662. After 0.8 miles, you'll reach a junction with Diamond Peak Tie Trail #4239. Keep going straight, and you'll quickly spot Notch Lake on your left. Walk to the far east end of the lake for the best views of this pretty little body of water, complete with a little rock island. Mosquitoes are rampant here in late July and early August.
After Notch Lake, you'll reach another trail junction, where you'll turn right on the Mt. Yoran Trail #3683. Now the trail starts some serious climbing. After about a mile and a half, the trail tops out on a ridge. You start getting views of Diamond Peak on the right as the trail goes up and down along the ridge. Three miles from the trail junction, you'll pass beneath Mount Yoran and arrive at the north end of beautiful little Divide Lake. If you go left around the lake just a bit you'll get a glimpse of the top of Diamond Peak. The main trail goes right along the western shore, where you get a view of an unnamed rocky peak towering above the lake. If you look back, you'll also see Mount Yoran.
The trail continues on to meet up with the Pacific Crest Trail less than a mile from here, but if this is your stopping point, there are numerous campsites in the area, especially near two tiny ponds just beyond Divide Lake. Be aware that the area is buzzing with mosquitoes in late July and early August. If you're here for a day hike, return the way you came.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Diamond Peak Wilderness
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Middle Fork Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Central Oregon Cascades
- Adventure Maps: Oakridge, Oregon Trail Map
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Divide Lake
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Divide Lake
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
- Oregon Favorites: Trails & Tales by William L. Sullivan
- 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon by Douglas Lorain
- Hiking Oregon’s Central Cascades by Bruce Grubbs
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon’s Southern Cascades: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Central Oregon Wilderness Areas by Donna Ikenberry Aitkenhead
More Links
- Vivian Lake Trail #3662 (USFS)
- Mt. Yoran Trail #3683 (USFS)
- Divide Lake (Hike Oregon)
- Diamond Peak Wilderness (Just Peachy)
- Divide Lake and Mount Yoran (Hiking Oregon)
- Oregon Wilderness Areas (Central) 12/13-Jul-2016 (Boots on the Trail)
- Diamond Peak Loop Days 3 & 4 – 08/24 & 8/25/2020 (wanderingyuncks)
- Divide Lake (Cascade Ramblings)
Contributors
- justpeachy (creator)