I wrote an webpage about Diamond Lake hike in 2009. I couldn't believe it was four years ago.
The last article was written after the hiking on June 27, 2009.
http://www.snucmaa.us/snumc1965/bbs/view.php?id=freeboard&no=3931
I am repeating the same introduction.

Directions to Trailhead: Diamond Lake is accessed from the Fourth of July Trailhead in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Nederland, Colorado. From downtown Nederland, go north on Highway 72 for .5 miles to County Road 130 and make a right. You will see a sign for Eldora Ski Resort at this junction. Continue on Highway 130 through the town of Eldora, just past which it becomes a dirt road (4 miles). Continue on the dirt road (past the Hessie Trailhead) another 4.8 miles and take the right fork at the Buckingham Campground up into the designated parking area. Though suitable for most 2WD cars in good condition, the road between the Hessie turnoff and Fourth of July Trailhead can be rough. High clearance vehicles are recommended.The lake is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area of the Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest.

The trailhead: "Fourth of July Trailhead" at 10, 172 feet
Diamond Lake at 10,940 feet
Round Trip is 5.3 miles with total elevation gain of 1,222 feet, because of ups and downs on the way.
Actual topographical elevation gain is about 800 feet.
This trail is classified as "easy and crowded" compared to other hiking trails in the Front Range in Colorado.

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┗▶ A three-some of Mule Ears (Aster family) at the beginning of the trail



┗▶ Another three-some of Colorado Blue Columbine (매발톱) at the trailside



┗▶ An unnamed peak across the Boulder Creek Valley. The Diamond Lake is at an alpine shelf (ledge) just below the mountain. The ledge is not visible frome here but it is just above the tree line at 12,000 feet.
The small narrow waterfalls are coming from the Diamond Lake, falling into the South Boulder Creek.



┗▶ Parry's Primrose, clinging on a rocky wall at the streamside

┗▶ At the streamside, Parry's Primrose (above) and Indian Paintbrush (below)

┗▶ A group of Jeffrey Shooting Star (small pink), Indian Paintbrush (orange at left lower), American Bistort (white at right lower)



┗▶ Shooting Star and Indian Paintbrush



┗▶ Close up of Jeffrey Shooting Star



┗▶ Western Wall Flower (Erysimum Asperum)



┗▶ Crossing of a stream. We crossed many streams like this. It's an exciting and fun trail !!



┗▶ Colorado Blue Columbine (center and right), A large group of Alpine Clover at left



┗▶ Unusually large group of Columbine at a hillside



┗▶ American Bistort



┗▶ An old trail marker. The Arapahoe Pass trail will lead to Mount Jasper and Mount Neva toward northwest.



┗▶ Crossing a swollen stream in the valley, the North Fork of S. Boulder Creek. This water comes from a few more alpine lakes below the Mounts Neva and Jasper at much higher altitude.



┗▶ Richardson's Geranium at a wet ground near the stream



┗▶ The wide alpine shelf below Mount Neva. This is a "wet" meadow in spring and early summer due to melting snow. Due to melting snow and higher altitude, this area stays wet like "tundra" in the arctic.
The field is full of spring flowers, mainly with Richardson's Geranium and White Marsh Marigold



┗▶ A small stream surrounded by the same wildflowers.



┗▶ At 12,000 feet high and under the shade, there are still lingering snow accumulation of the last winter.



┗▶ Approaching the Diamond Lake.
The mountain range beyond the lake is the Continental Divide, splitting North American continent into Pacific and Atlantic watershed.



┗▶ At the trail's end. We would be keep going and circle the entre lake all the way.



┗▶ Local "Three stooges" at the Diamond Lake



┗▶ A small field of Richardson's Geranium (lower) and White Marsh Marigold (upper). They are always together.



┗▶ At the lakeside. Marsh Marigold (white) and Alpine Laurel (Bog Laurel, small pink)



┗▶ Western part of the lake. The lake and the Continental Divide ridge



┗▶ Marsh Marigold (white) and Yellow Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)



┗▶ Close ups of Alpine Laurel. If you see carefully, these look like miniature version of azalea (진달래, flowers and leaves both)



┗▶ Hookedspur Violet (Early Blue Violet)



┗▶ Another strean and falls coming from above into the lake



┗▶ Indian Paintbrush



┗▶ Looking toward east



┗▶ Another view of the lake across a white Marigold field



┗▶ White Marigold field at the lakeside



┗▶ The lake beyond a field of Marigolds and Geraniums



┗▶ Looking further up at the western edge of the lake.



┗▶ A group of unusually shaped fur (or pine) trees in this particular location



┗▶ Crossing a rock field at the southern shore of the lake



┗▶ White Marigold and Yellow Marigold flowers at the lake shore



┗▶ Varileaf Cinquefoil



┗▶ Looking westwards



┗▶ The outlet of the lake



┗▶ On the way back. In the backgounds are the peaks of Indian Peaks Wilderness. Most of them are near 13,000 feet high.
The third one from left is Mount Jasper (12,923 ft.), and the peak in the right most is Mount Neva (12,814 ft).



┗▶ At the trailhead parking area



┗▶ Rocky Mountain Iris. They are rare but occasionally seen near the trails.

Photo and Text by SNUMA WM