Diamond Back Trail
This trail description was written by Bill Sherrard in 2009. Most details are still accurate, but keep in mind that foliage and other flora change seasonally and over time.
The Diamond Back Trail is a 0.42 mile trail between Coyote Run Trail on the southeast and Sage Trail at the northwest terminus. It is a single lane trail without any steep hills or rough terrain to transverse.
It is a 1.13 mile hike to the southern trailhead for the Diamond Back Trail. Getting to the trailhead involves hiking 0.66 miles east on the Cross Creek Trail, thence north on the East Ridge Trail for 0.15 miles and then 0.32 miles north to the trailhead for Diamond Back.
The altitude at the trailhead is 1,480 feet. The trail rises to an altitude of 1,587 feet during the 0.42 mile hike to its intersection with the Sage Trail. At its northern end the trail elevation drops to 1,538 feet.
The trail is rated “moderate” in terms of difficulty when hiking the trail west to east. This is because of the 243 foot elevation gain between the west and east ends of the trail.
We will be hiking the trail from east to west, starting at 1,692 feet and declining to 1,449 feet at the trail’s end where it intersects the Cougar Ridge Trail. Because of the decline in elevation, the trail is rated “easy” when hiking from east to west.
There is one lonely tree near the trailhead and several trees that were burned in a serious fire several years ago. The trees burned by the fire make interesting silhouettes against the sky.
Shortly after leaving the trailhead there is a rock outcropping on the left side of the trail. Just beyond the outcropping is a view of the level terrain that the trail goes through.
At 0.26 miles from the trailhead is another example of a tree killed by fire. It is in stark contrast to the new green foliage growing up around its base.
The trail continues level, passing through an arbor like canopy of trees and shrubs. The tree on the left shows evidence of a fire passing through this section of the park.
A short distance beyond the canopy of trees and shrubs the first view of Mallard Pond is visible on the left side of the trail. The next pictures show views of the water from the Diamond Back Trail.
The trail ends at its intersection with the Sage Trail. Sage is one of the longer trails on the Ranch continuing west to the Ranch buildings and southeast to the Dixon Lake Recreation Area.
Text and Photos Copyright © 2009 William R. Sherrard. Used with permission