A relaxed hike through forest along Pinnacle Creek and up an avalanche path to a tranquil lake below a rock face. The Judge trail is a meander through an alpine bowl before climbing a ridge and scrambling up a rocky peak.

Trailhead

The trailhead starts just 20m from the parking site.  Look for the small kiosk.

Trail

The start to the Diana Lake hike has changed significantly as of 2016. A new logging road has taken out the first kilometre of the old trail.

It is still best to park at the old parking site even though it is possible to drive on a new but very rough logging road for another kilometre.  From the trailhead at the parking site follow the trail and cross the creek on an aluminum bridge.  After crossing the creek, the trail encounters the new logging road after 50m.  Turn right on this road and follow it for about 750m where you will cross another bridge.  Continue uphill on the road for another 150 m after this bridge and look for a small cairn and flagging on the right marking the continuation of the trail.

The trail climbs easily through the forest following along Pinnacle Creek.  It crosses a number of avalanche paths on its way.  At 3.5 km, the trail breaks into yet another slide path and turns up the hill. Once you reach the top of this hill, the slope lessens and it is an easy 45 minute walk to the lake.

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From the lake, it is possible to gain access to the upper bowl and ridges, including the Judge which is the lone standing peak east of the lake. From Diana Lake, follow the trail along the lakeshore to the north end. Signs and flagging mark the trail through open larch forest. In the meadows below the pass, the trail becomes indistinct. Continue uphill to the pass below the Judge. Mosey through the bowl towards the north end for 1.5 kilometres, and then cut over to the pass and the base of the ridge.

Once at the ridge, turn right and pick up the trail right on the ridge top. Follow the edge of the ridge and soak in the views for the next 1.5 kilometres.

There is a bare shaley col just before the Judge. If you are not up to a scramble, this is the place to stop. The route up the Judge is an exposed scramble with some loose rock.

Cautions

• Watch for bears in the slide paths.
• Don’t expect to be alone at the lake.
• On the route to the Judge, there is an extreme dropoff on the east side of the ridge.

From the lights in Golden, drive south on Highway 95 for 83.5 km. When you get to Spur Valley, the highway drops to cross the valley and then rises on the other side. Near the top of the rise turn left onto Kindersley – Pinnacle FSR which is indicated on the sign.  You can set your odometer to zero at this sign, however, all km markings below were taken off the distance markers along the FSR.  [read more]

5.0 km you will see the beginnings of the irrigation aqueduct that supplies the orchards in Edgewater.
7.1 km stay left.
8.1 km stay left.
14.5 km stay left.
14.9 km stay right.
19.9 km bridge
23.1 km road is muddy.
23.5 km stay right.
23.7 park. Trailhead sign can be seen.  Park so you don’t block access for anyone else.