The Baxter Pass trailhead is located one hour south of Bishop. If you are coming from Bishop, drive south on highway 395 and turn right (west) onto Fish Hatchery Road about 3 kms before (north) the town of Independence (about 30 minutes south of Big Pine). A few minutes later turn right onto North Oak Creek Road. Drive 8 kms to the dead end of North Oak Creek Road. The pavement ends soon but the dirt road is wide and in excellent conditions (2025). There is plenty of room to park and camp at the trailhead (elevation 1900 meters).

The trail is in poor conditions (as of 2025). After the second creek crossing it is easy to lose it.

The trail is 13 kms to the pass (3740m), with almost 2000 meters of elevation gain. There are two major creek crossings, one easily done over stones and the other one over logs. This is one of those Sierra trails that starts from the desert, so expect little or no shade. The pass is NOT where the creek comes down from. If you simply follow the creek you will end up way to the left (west), whereas the pass is way to the right (north)

To get to Diamond Peak (4001m), leave the trail before the pass, before it turns sharply right/north, cross the creek heading south and walk south and then west around the prominent southern slope of the cirque. Walk west into the cirque between Black Diamond Pass and Diamond Peak and then ascend the class-2 slope to Diamong Peak.

To get to Diamond Peak North (3986 m) follow the trail as it bends north towards Baxter Pass and leave the trail whenever it makes sense: you see the mountain all the time. This route is even easier class-2 than the one for Diamond Peak.

The traverse between the two peaks is neither easy not safe. Best is to descend one to a point where chutes meet and then climb the other one.

• Baxter Pass trailhead (1900m)
• Bowl (Point where the trail starts heading north): 5h
• Baxter Pass (13 kms, 3740m): 6h30'
• Diamond North (7h 30')

• Other Kings Canyon hikes
• Kings Canyon Park
• Weather for Baxter Pass
• Weather for Sixty Lake basin