Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.4-mile loop
Season: June through October
Passes: Northwest Forest Service Pass
Highlights: The double duo of a hike gives you a waterfall-to-lake-to-waterfall combination, which could be a refreshing summer challenge, or an ambitious snowshoeing winter excursion. Old cedar-log footbridges accent this trail, as it starts at Salt Creek, curves along Too Much Bear Lake and finally ascends up into Diamond Creek Falls.
Beginning at the footbridge, this scenic 2.5 mile loop follows along the canyon rims of Salt Creek and Diamond Creek. There are several viewing points along this rim with great views of Salt Creek Canyon and Lower Diamond Creek Falls.
A spur trail 0.25 miles from the footbridge leads to Too Much Bear Lake. The trail continues to another junction with a spur trail that leads to the base of Upper Diamond Creek Falls. This spur trail contains a unique log stairway and a large cedar log footbridge, which leads the hiker to a breath taking view of the falls. The trail to the base of Upper Diamond Creek Falls is steep in the area of the log stairway.
A short distance past the viewpoint, the trail splits. The Vivian Lake Trail #3662 takes off to the south and the Diamond Creek Falls Trail goes east and crosses Forest Road 5893-420. Here you can look back and see the cliffs of Mt. David Douglas. The trail continues through the forest crossing Forest Road 5893-420 once again and heads northeast back to Salt Creek Falls Observation Site.