In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Diamond Lake
A hidden gem accessed by the 4th of July Trailhead, west of the towns of Nederland and Eldora.
20 August 2025
I haven't been to Diamond Lake in at least 25 years!
We were headed away from Gary’s place just after 9:30 AM and took the South St.Vrain Road (CO 7) to the Peak-to-Peak peak Highway (CO 72), then toward Peaceful Valley, Ward and Nederland.
While on the Peak-to-Peak and descending toward Nederland, I look south and see that ridge with the beaver ... same one I saw many years ago shortly after I moved here with Kari and we went to Georgetown to check out the railroad museum there. At that time, I mistakenly believed this was the beaver of James Mitchner's "Centenial", but Mitchner’s beaver is on a ridge of Long’s Peak.
Down into Nederland we go, thru town, and then west on Eldora Road, past the high school, past the road to the ski area, through the town of Eldora, past the Hessie Trailhead (where all the designated along-the-road-parking is taken) and on the 4th of July Trailhead, another 5 or so miles.
We make our way slowly. It feels like a long, long way and at 10mph it takes us 30 minutes. There are numerous tracts of private property and cabins along this road. It is nice setting, probably not too much traffic; though I'm not sure I'd be happy living here, as I found that even in town in Lyons was a bit too remote for me.
Soon, though, we are at the trailhead. It's been reconfigured. There is still a campground and picnic area. But there’s no parking spaces in the main areas. There is additional parking along the road so we head back down the road. In the first spot, I don’t feel like I am far enough to the side so we move on to the next section.
Next, get ready to hike: Boots, socks, packs, hat, poles and we are on our way.
It’s less than a 5 minute to walk back up the road. Past the outhouse, I see the is an additional parking area, though no available spaces.
We head up the trial. According to the sign, it is one mile to the Arapahoe Pass junction, and two miles to Diamond Lake.
The trail is worn and rough and starts to climb almost immediately... not steep, just very steadily uphill. It is just as I remember, with areas of pine forest and intermittent open areas cleared by avalanches and now populated with smaller trees. The trail is cut into a steep hillside that it transverses. Streams cascading down the hillside as well.
It's hot and being in the shade of the pines is a welcome relief.
It seems like we’ve been hiking a long time and the wilderness boundary sign is just ahead. They are generally about ½ miles a trailhead; we’ve been hiking about 45 minutes or so, though it is uphill!
There is a nice rock just beyond the sign and we take a breather; then continue uphill. Slowly. One step at a time. The landscape is still stands of trees intermingled with open areas and cascading streams.
After 90 minutes, we reach the Arapahoe Pass trail junction; just beyond are good logs for it sitting where we take another break. Then on again.
The trail seems to level off somewhat and is not quite as rough and rocky and then begins to angle downhill. I can hear a water fall in the distance. There is a footbridge with good rail over the stream below. I don't photograph the waterfall, but it is scenic with water rushing around and over protruding rocks.
I imagine this is the outlet of Diamond Lake, and think to myself “good, not too much further to go". We cross the stream and the trail begins to climb uphill. At every turn I imagine the trees are thinning and think, “good, almost there”.
Later, once we return home, I look on a map and see that cross is the outlet for Upper Diamond Lake, not Diamond Lake as I imagined.
The trail is ever upward. We pop out into bog and now the take is close. A few more minutes and we have arrived. There are a number of people fishing as well as other hikers. It’s a very serene spot.
We have a snack, rest up and I take photos.
Then start back down. We’re both pretty tired but persevere.
At the footbridge, we cross then somehow get off trail and are along another, smaller cascade. We backtrack to the footbridge, get on the main trail and start the climb up.
It's a long way but eventually we are at the Arapahoe Pass trail junction and rest! Next is the wilderness boundary where we rest again, and finally we’re back at the parking lot.
A long way and challenging but a fantastic outing!
Per AllTrails.com, it's 5:4 miles round trip with 1200 feet of elevation gain. Their estimated time is 3 hours; ours was more like 6.5, including stopping for lunch at the lake. AllTrails.com assumes a walking speed of 20 minutes a mile and plus 30 minutes for an elevation gain of 1,000 feet.
Time:
11:30 - 2:20 to arrive at the lake.
3:05 – 6:10 to return.