Early Summer Mount Yoran

Mount Yoran in Half a Day

I had never been to the Diamond Peak Wilderness before and I wanted to make a quick, one-day trip near home.

I called the Middle Fork Ranger Station and confirmed that the Vivian Lake Trailhead was accessible; no snow on the roads despite the crummy weather recently.
I brought gaiters because I assumed, although the trailhead was snow-free, I would hit my fair share on the way to Mount Yoran and Divide Lake at almost 6400 feet.
I got a late start after work and got to the Vivian Lake Trailhead probably around 12 or 1 in the afternoon.
I made my way past Notch Lake only running into small pockets of snow.



After turning on to the Mount Yoran trail about a mile in, the trail was completely covered by snow almost all the way to Divide Lake. Old, slightly overgrown trailmarkers hacked into the trees led the way, but my routefinding skills were still put to the test.




I finally reached Divide Lake and the base of Mount Yoran at 3:30 or 4. Following the trail on the way up proved difficult.


The scramble up the south gully involved A LOT of loose rock, but nothing too dangerous or difficult. Made it to the summit in gorgeous weather in probably 30-40 minutes from Divide Lake.

Heading Down

The snow is certainly melting out though, and the trail should be easier to follow in a few weeks I would imagine.




I probably spent too long on the summit, and I passed Notch Lake on the way back the sun was setting. I definitely had to grab this shot.

Images

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