Summary 
| Difficulty | 5 Advanced |
| Length | 7.8 miles round trip or 6.2 miles for round trip loop |
| Starting Elevation |
6750 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1250, -1250 round trip |
| Navigation | Road and map |
| Time | Most of a day |
| Season | December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Lassen Peak |
| Start | Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center located one mile past the Southwest Entrance Station. |
Description
The summit of Diamond Peak is a spectacular destination. Its small, knife-edged summit gives you a magnificent 360-degree vista, an opportunity to explore the lay-of-the-land from a great height, and the feeling that you are in more remote surroundings.
The first 3.5 miles of this tour to Diamond Peak is along snow-covered Lassen Park Road and the following 0.2 mile off the road is easy too. However, the final and difficult 0.1 mile can be extremely dangerous. The steep terrain, wind-packed snow, and icy conditions create hazardous skiing for even expert skiers. It is also very important not to attempt the peak when avalanche conditions exist. Nevertheless, Diamond Peak is an extraordinarily fine destination when conditions are just right.
The most direct route to the summit is described in the Diamond Peak Direct tour. The route described here via Diamond Peak Saddle is more circuitous and can be turned into a loop by returning via the direct route.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.7
Elevation change: +200
From the trailhead (1) ski north on Lassen Park Road for 0.7 mile until you reach the bridge (2) across West Sulphur Creek. The bridge is the turnoff point for Ridge Lakes tour.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.7 - 0.8
Elevation change: +50
Ski northeast on Lassen Park Road for 0.1 mile until you reach the Sulphur Works (3). At the Sulphur Works, an active hydrothermal area, you can hike the short nature trail (boardwalks) located on the north (left) side of the road. The Sulphur Works Cutoff tour also begins here. The cutoff shortens the tour to Emerald Lake and Lake Helen by 2.1 miles and bypasses the portion of Lassen Park Road east of Diamond Peak that is prone to avalanche.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.8 - 1.5
Elevation change: +150
Ski southeast on Lassen Park Road for 0.7 mile until you reach Brokeoff Mountain Viewpoint (4). The viewpoint, also called Windy Point, offers an excellent view to the west of Brokeoff Mountain, the largest remaining part of Mt. Tehama, an 11,000-foot volcano.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.5 - 2.1
Elevation change: +150
Ski generally east on Lassen Park Road for 0.6 mile until you reach Diamond Point (5). Diamond Point affords a good view to the southeast of the Mill Creek drainage and Mt. Conard.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 2.1 - 3.5
Elevation change: +350
Ski north on Lassen Park Road for 1.1 miles to a 180 degree turn in the road and then for 0.3 mile until you reach Diamond Peak Saddle (6). The saddle is located at the top of an S-turn where the road travels along a ridge-like area. The Sulphur Works Cutoff intersects the road 0.1 mile beyond here.
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 3.5 - 3.8
Elevation change: +150
Leave the road and ski south (left) on a broad ridge for 0.2 mile and then climb to the southwest for 0.1 mile until you reach the northwest ridge of Diamond Peak (7).
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 3.8 - 3.9
Elevation change: +200
Ascend to the southeast, slightly on the south side of the ridge, for 0.1 mile to the summit of Diamond Peak (8).
Return to the trailhead
Miles: 3.9 - 7.8
Elevation change: -1250
Retrace your route for 3.9 miles to the trailhead (1).
Alternate return via direct route
Waypoint 8 to 7
Miles: 3.9 - 4.0
Elevation change: -200
Descend to the northwest, slightly on the south side of the ridge, for 0.1 mile to a point on the ridge where the steepness lessens (7).
Waypoint 7 to 4
Miles: 4.0 - 4.7
Elevation change: -700
Descend the ridge to the southwest and then south for a total of 0.7 mile until you reach Brokeoff Mountain Viewpoint (4).
Return to the trailhead
Miles: 4.7 - 6.2
Elevation change: -400
Retrace your route for 1.5 miles to the trailhead (1).
