In due course, we arrived at timberline, and then out into an open field of green tundra with the Rawahs stretching away to the north, and the Diamond Peaks stretching to the south towards Cameron Pass. We walked west over the open terrain, still under brilliant blue skies, and reached a group of 5 people hanging out near the signpost designating Montgomery Pass. Christine and I hadn’t planned on what to do exactly once we reached Montgomery Pass, but it seemed like it would be fun to explore to the north, as both of us had hiked to the Diamond Peaks from Cameron Pass before. However, the group of 5 hikers set off just as we arrived and walked north, spreading themselves out so it was both difficult to pass, and yet frustrating to be stuck behind. Thus, we decided that the Diamond Peaks were quite nice and worth seeing again, and set off to the south. 

The first hill was very steep, and I sidehilled back and forth to gain the top. Frank and Makenzie made it look easy. To the west, we could see down into North Park, and from this vantage we could clearly see the devastation wrought by the pine bark beetle. Millions of brown pines speckled the forest below, sometimes grouped in patches that covered entire hillsides. The wind was brisk, and even though it was August and the sun was out, it was very chilly. We tried to keep to the lee side of each ridge we were hiking up to stay warmer. We reached the top of the first hill, and from there could see the three humps of the Diamond Peaks stretched out to the south. We hiked to the middle peak, and decided that was far enough. Here we stopped and ate lunch, trading some snack items for variety. I threw rocks for Makenzie to chase (at her request) while Frank just sat and enjoyed the view of Joe Wright Reservoir below. We retraced our steps back to Montgomery Pass, and then leisurely strolled back downhill through the cool forest, and to the car. The entire hike took perhaps 4 hours. 

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