Mount Yoran in Half a Day
View from V. Lake Trailhead
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.
Termites doing their thing Not all the trail was snow-covered
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.
Found this Vortex on the Mount Yoran Trail
South Gully of Mount Yoran
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.
Yoran above Divide Lake
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.
South from the Summit
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.
Sunset reflected in Notch Lake
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