Diamond Lake & Thielsen (aka Big Cowhorn)!

Summit shot!

First day, we went up to enjoy Diamond Lake and check out what it has to offer on the John Dellenback trail.  It's a 10 mile loop around Diamond Lake on a bike path.  I wasn't cleared to ride a bike yet, so I took my coker up there. 

Such an amazing view on the drive up.

We snagged a first come first serve site at Natural Bridge CG a few miles south of Union Creek.  Then we cruised up to Diamond Lake to check her out.

It's a beautiful lake, but doesn't have the best shoreline.  Would be fun to rent a boat there.  Pontoon boats for 150$ sounds good.  You can see Mt. Bailey on this pic.  That's where Hemlock Butte Cabin sits.  

The boys went for a dip

After the ride, we checked out National Creek Falls.  Worth it, but probably don't need to go back

The A/C kicks on at the falls.  The water is super cold.

Back at Natural Bridges.  It's called that as there is a section of the Rogue River that goes under the ground here.  

And our sweet campsite came with a swimming hole.

The boys quickly got dirty

pumpkin

We got up early to give us the best odds of success

Started off in jackets, but we quickly stashed them

Such a sweet peak!

Nice view of Diamond Lake behind us.  I'd like to go back and do the Bailey and Thielsen marathon - https://fastestknowntime.com/route/diamond-lake-double-thielsen-bailey-or.  

Cool formations on the way up

I brought at 30m twin rope for the summit to belay the kids.

If you make it up there, be sure to check out the Fulgurite at the top.  The "lightening rod of the Cascades" gets hits by lightening every year.  

Kai did great on the way down.  Nikko... not so much.  He was freaking out.

The Botts girls were solid and really helped the day go with less tantrums. 

Nikko found a Geocache at the bottom.  

And the boys got some ice cream at Union Creek.