Diamond Peak from Scenic Overlook, via N. Flume

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Diamond Peak from Scenic Overlook, via N. Flume

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: A flat hike along the Northern Flume, then a quick descent down the Diamond Peak ski resort. First half of hike is largely shaded with beautiful stream crossings. Second half of the hike has dynamite views down the Incline Creek drainage to Lake Tahoe. Also a brief optional out-and-back sojourn to more recent TV history.

Tips: This is a shuttle hike, although you could also do this as an in/out hike turning around at POI 8 or 10. For shuttling, first drop a car at the upper parking lot at the Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Then drive along Fairview Drive to NV431 to just past the dog-leg scenic overlook. A couple hundred yards up from the overlook, you'll find two parking options... a dirt spot for a few cars on the right... or a larger pull-out area across the road on the left.

Points of Interest

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Parking

There is an informal area on the east side of the highway for a handful of cars... or park across the road (but be careful when walking across the road).

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Find Trail

Walk past the east end of the parking area to locate the trail. Take the trail leftward.

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Turn Right, Downhill

There's a trail that intersects coming from above and left. Turn right and briefly downhill.

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Creek Crossing; Left Turn

Very pleasant creek crossing with a small foot bridge.

Just 20 yards after the creek you'll reach a junction. The right, downhill option would take you down the "Chinese Downhill" trail that parallels Incline Creek.

At this junction, you want to turn left, go up a brief rise to rejoin the ~7600' elevation Northern Flume.

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Folsom/Chinese Camp

Just below the flume and toward the just-passed creek was the Folsom Camp that housed mainly Chinese workers during the late-1800 logging days. The workers had to hike up to their from what is today the Diamond Peak lodge (then a lumber yard).

From this point until reaching the Diamond Peak ski area you'll be walking along the northern Flume. This portion of flume carried water from Incline Lake to Tunnel Creek, where the water was used to slide logs through a tunnel to the Carson Valley and eventual for shoring up the mines at Virginia City. You'll see boards and nails from this original flume (see 1877 sketch below).

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Typical Views

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Enter Ski Area

You've just crossed over the Solitude Canyon (heavily treed) run of the ski area and come to the Great Flume intermediate run. Continue forward on the trail and cross a set of advanced runs (Lightning, Diamond Back).

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Ridge Lift Offloading

You now come to the southernmost boundary of the ski resort and have a choice. You can turn right/downhill and down to the resort main lodge... or you can take a little side trip.

The side trip continues southward on the Northern Flume.