Diamond Mountain Loop hike is in Bear Mountain. I created this trail because the main trail is pretty popular and it is hard to find a parking spot. This one is not that popular but I still see a lot of hikers use this trail. The parking lot is pretty big so if you have a big group, this is a good place to start. There are also portable toilets at the parking lot. This is a beautiful place with decent views. The lake is very beautiful and the foot paths are very easy to walk on. This is a good hike and I like it a lot.
Diamond Mountain Loop Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1
Difficulty: Easy To Moderate
Distance: 6.5 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1,250 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: Yes
Trail Breakdown
Blue Trail Ascent
Blue Trail Views
White Trail
Pine Meadow Lake
Lake Wanoksink
Unmarked Trail
Blue Trail To Parking Lot
https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/1772352785
Note: The information is just an approximation. I went to this trail a few times and I combined different pics from those times to create the story.
Parking
Start Of The Hike
The beautiful morning sun greeted the landscape with its rays, as streaks of glittering blue dashed across the surface of the lake water, with the deep green trees waving back and forth to the caress of the gentle wind. The calm and still lake reflected the peacefulness inside of me as my thoughts happily drifted away to the corners of my imagination. There was an absence of mental stress, anxiety, and chaos, just the quiet sound of nature, and its serenity flowing through me.
Blue Trail
On the solemn woods we walked, with the light and shadow dancing to the song of the wind, like heavenly wings, they moved rapidly while scattering themselves all over the landscape. The skinny trees stretched themselves up to the sky, standing tall and proud, with thousands of leaves on their branches and crown. The trail was ascending upwards, I looked at my group members, they looked sorrowful with fatigue and lethargy emanating from their bodies already.
Blue Trail Intersection
The trail became narrow and rigid as we ascended further up the mountain. I often get lost in this intersection as I often go straight. Going straight will lead me to an unmarked trail. But now I always remind myself that the blue trail or intersection is next to this dead tree.
Blue Trail
The scent of green leafy plant life rose from the ground as various shrubs, grass, and plants surrounded us, exciting our sense of smell. The small plants made their home at the side of the trail which made the trail even narrower and only one person at a time could walk through its narrows passageways. A big stone bulged out of the ground along the trail, approximate 4 times my height or maybe even more. It towered over all other stones and structures but it was still smaller when compared to the proud trees of the forest that scattered around us.
First View
I looked at the viewpoint with the infinite sky lying high above and a blue lake could be seen in the distance. Most of the views were blocked by trees that it was too hard to make out what was beyond it. My heart sank to its depths as the viewpoint was rather dull and uninteresting. I imagined this viewpoint to be wide, far reaching, and with the mountain winds coming in freely due to the height of the mountain. But to my disappointment, the views were blocked and there was nothing fascinating to see at all.
Second View
The map kept hinting of various viewpoints along the mountain path but each vista was surrounded by the tall trees and bushes that made their home there. The trees and bushes were too close to each other for us to see anything far up ahead. We trudged on, not staying any second longer as there was nothing to see, and the place was very common and ordinary by any standard.
Third View
Another promised viewpoint that was a letdown. I looked back at my group members, almost felt like apologizing as they could not take any landscape pictures but to my surprised they were all having fun. Smiles were seen on everyone’s faces with the sounds of laughter echoing throughout the mountain footpath. Their smiles and laughter were so innocent and pure that I couldn’t help but smile as well. I guess I was just happy that they were all having fun.
Blue Trail On The Mountain
The stone surface of the mountain was marked with blue trail markers which told hikers the direction on where they should go. The trail was mostly flat and even, with a few turns. Sometimes the footpath was narrow and sometimes it was wide, but all in all, it was an easy trail to follow.
Fourth View
Moist and cool, the gentle cool breeze of the mountain finally reached our skin, bringing with it the fresh scent of the earth and forest. I spread out my arms a little to welcome it and allowed it to take all of my fatigue away. The viewpoint was somewhat visible as we could see a hill filled with green trees over the distance. The morning sun showered its light rays unto us as we descended down the mountain.
Blue Trail
The trail turned into a slope but the descent was rather quick and easy that we had no problems whatsoever. At the corner of the mountain, we could see various people enjoying a vista. As we approached it, they started to leave, leaving the viewpoint all to ourselves.
Everyone sat very close to each other as we took out sandwiches, rice, and other types of food for lunch. Everyone was in a cheerful mood underneath the open sky. We ate in gladness, replenishing our energies as we all conversed with each other, making jokes and laughing ourselves to the fullest.
Last View Point
The green leaves of the valley began to swing violently as the raging winds of varying force came crashing in. A screeching sound made by the winds rose from the depths of the valley, as the wind moved from one tree to the next, spreading like wildfire till it finally hit us, which made me turn my head around. It was as if someone threw a big rock at the center of the valley that created ripples or anger that spread throughout the forests and mountains. We sat for a few more minutes, until we finally decided to keep going.
Blue Trail Descent
The slope was somewhat steep as the trail wanted us to get to the bottom of the mountain. Slowly but surely, we descended downwards, trying not to get ourselves injured. The fierce winds swirled around us, bringing in a few dust particles that stung my eyes for a few seconds. I wiped my eyes out and proceeded to make sure that my group members were safe and sound.
Blue Trail Descent
The sun’s rays penetrated through the holes of the leaves in the forest, creating patches of light and shadow all around the steep slope of the mountain. I dropped my body low to the ground for safety purposes while trying to reach a stepping stone with my foot. We moved from one edge to another, one foot hold to the next. Slow and steady, we all made it to the bottom of the mountain without any scratches, injuries and wounds.
Bridge
Stable and durable, the wooden bridge stretched on from one side of the river to the other allowing us to cross over safely. The bridge was narrow and rigid but felt rather strong or well made without even one screeching creek could be heard as we walked in it. The river water was clear and flowing, and to my surprise, we didn’t see nor feel any insects near us. I touched the coarse and rough rails of the bridge, feeling the wood with my fingers and skin. I took a few pictures of my surrounding area before leaving and joining the others on the white trail.
White Trail
The light of the sun was still shining through the fluttering leaves, the trail was made out of brown soil and rocks with the dignified gigantic trees standing all around us. They flourished underneath the Spring atmosphere, green and majestic and yet strangely fragrant. The dirt footpath was mostly flat and easy to follow with only the sound of our laughter that reverberated through out the forest could be heard.
Going Up To Raccoon Brook Hill
A drop of sweat dropped down from my forehead to my cheek as the trail became rocky as we inched closer to the top of hill. Maneuvering from one big stone to the next, we ascended higher and higher. Each step felt heavy as our energies started dwindling down, and the top of the hill was still nowhere in sight. Yet, we kept on moving without even stopping, hoping the top would give us a viewpoint where we could relax and take a rest for a few moments.
Raccoon Brook Hill Top
Gentle winds of varying degrees of force caressed our skin, cooling our bodies, and evaporating our sweat away. I held out my hand to help some of my group members reach the top. Tired but happy, my group members breathe heavily while smiling and making jokes at the top of the hill. We moved further along the trail as the first viewpoint was rather blocked by a multitude of trees.
Raccoon Brook Hill View
We hid under a few tall bushes and shrubs along the vista, and in front of us was a big hill filled with densely packed trees. The leaves glowed in a deep green color underneath the cloudless blue sky. The hill in front of us felt very close yet felt very far at the same time. We stayed for a few minutes to get our energies back as we all tried to get to know each other better. The shade and winds felt good on our tired bodies, recuperating us, while making some of us fall asleep.
Pine Meadow Lake
The dazzling blue lake sparkled underneath the soft skylight, it was the essence of beauty that only nature could create. Clear and serene, alluring and charming, the elegant lake flowed noiselessly with beautiful lilies decorating its outer edges. A few fishermen could be seen in the distance, enjoying the lake and everything it had to offer. The beautiful lake sparked something inside me, a feeling of warmth and tenderness that propagated throughout my body, giving me a sense of deep appreciation for the land that I was seeing.
Every corner and angle I saw had a sense of tranquility and serenity that only nature could create. The green trees and their reflection, the gentle wind kissing our skins, the soft light showering down on us and the scent of green grass that surrounded us, accentuated the beauty of the landscape as it captured the hearts of the few hikers and people who were lucky enough to be destined to be at this place on this beautiful day.
Note: Getting to Lake Wanoksink using an unmarked trail was kind of confusing. I kept looking at my map and GPS to make sure we didn’t get lost.
Lake Wanoksink
Lake Wanoksink was of a deeper blue color compared to Pine Meadow Lake. I walked over at the shoreline and washed my hands with its clean and cold waters. There was a sense of peace and joy from here on out, a feeling of happiness and laughter that seemed to be very contagious as they spread from one person to the next. It looked like everyone was having a good time as if today was some sort of special event or joyful celebration. I turned around and looked back at the lake, wishing days like today would come more often and wished happy days like today would fill up most of my life.
Unmarked Trail Intersection View
The correct path was to the left and then straight in order to reach the blue trail. I went ahead of everyone, just to make sure that nobody gets lost or go to the wrong path. I sat on a boulder underneath a tree, waiting for the last person in my group. A soft breeze ruffled the leaves of the forest, as the light and shadow danced all around me. The day had been so bright and cheerful that to hike on this mountain, and ramble along the woods felt extremely delightful to my senses.
Unmarked Trail Intersection Sign
This is the intersection sign at the middle of a tree.
Blue Trail Going Back
We reached the blue trail with the dead tree near the intersection again, then passed by a shallow river, then a downward descent towards the parking lot. I looked at my group members, their spirits high, their smiles wide, all ready to eat food and go to a nearby restaurant. We all loved food and everyone seemed to have formed some sort of bond with each other. We all left the parking lot and went towards the restaurant while hoping that we would all see each other again on the next hiking event.
For More Hikes
For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best NYC Hikes Or Best New Jersey Hikes.
We usually go backpacking on these woods. Love the trails. Good hike!
Finished the whole hike in 2 hours. Mostly flat ground and nothing too hard.
I have done this trail and trails near here. There were lots of wild animals like turkeys, and deer. Haven’t seen any bears but maybe I will someday.
This place has always been a favorite of ours because we often come here to go backpacking. Beautiful and well maintained trails!
Every time we come to Bear Mountain, we do something similar to this hike. Pretty easy and pretty good!
Lots of views and the hike itself wasn’t that hard. We come here every year and always a treat!
I was expecting lots of views and outlooks according to the map since there were so many stars but most of them were blocked by trees. Still a very enjoyable hike though.
The parking lot has a portable potty. We often come here to kayak the surrounding area. There are campgrounds that people can go to if they leave out of state. There are many things to do which is why I love this park!