This was a Chemeketan Backpack led by Larry Petersen, who always does an excellent job of researching and planning unique trips. The group included Roz Shirack, Susan Watkins, Karen Huntzinger, Terry Hutchinson, Dave Carter, Carlos Hernandez, Bob Custer, Tim Taylor, and Arlan and Peggy Peterson. The route was a three-day circular trek around Diamond Peak, beginning at the southern trailhead for the Vivian Lake Trail.

A short hike of under a mile took us to Notch Lake, where we paused for a lunch break and started making friends with mosquitoes, a friendship which would carry on for the duration of our trip.

With extreme heat in the Willamette Valley we were glad to be high up in the Cascades and the cooler environs of Divide Lake.