Lunch Along the Cascade Lakes Highway

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8 August 2010

We awoke to clear skies after a bout with smoke ridden days from a bad wildfire. We decided to head up to the mountains and take a lunch to one of the high lakes.

A drive up any or all of the Cascade Lakes Highway is always a treat! We were astonished by how many people had the same idea we did, though - we've never seen it so busy in the mountains outside of a long weekend!

We headed out of Bend and up Century Drive/Cascade Lakes Highway. Our first stop was at Dutchman's Flat to enjoy the view of Mt. Bachelor, South Sister and Broken Top.

We continued on to Sparks Lake. We had planned to eat there, but the amount of people, noise, cars zooming down the dirt roads and dogs off leash made us change our minds. We did stop to look at the restoration of the stream that feeds Sparks Lake and read the new signage. We were enjoying the beauty of the crystal clear water when a woman heaved a ball into the still pool in front of us for her dog to retrieve. She thought it was funny - and expressed it quite loudly.

We continued on to Devil's Lake - inconceivable as it was, the parking was even worse there. We did find a place along the road and a relatively unused trail into Devil's Garden. We ended up having a very private and peaceful lunch! The springs that feed Devil's Lake create a beautiful area of icy cold and crystal clear water.

On the way back, we stopped at the Sparks Meadow overlook. We had the joy of seeing three Sand Hill Cranes! This area used to be used for summer pasture for cattle - long before the roads were put in. The last cattle drive was 50 years ago. We could also see the Pine Marten Lodge at Mt Bachelor - which is now open for lunch and dinner. - we're going to have to try that! You take the chair lift up and can dine with a wonderful view!

We headed home down the Sunriver cutoff. We were fortunate to get a picture of the Newberry Crater and a view of Paulina Peak. When you see the size of the crater, you know that must have been an enormous mountain before it blew its top!

The weather is the mildest summer we can ever remember. Stormy looking clouds blew in and out, but it was mostly sunny and warm. We enjoyed the beauty of the day in spite of way too much traffic!!!

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Photos

South Sister
from Dutchman's Flat

Broken Top
from Dutchman's Flat

South Sister
from Sparks Lake

Mt Bachelor from Sparks Lake
Pine Marten Lodge is on the flat about half way up on the left

Newberry Crater
Crater in the distance

Paulina Peak
at Newberry Crater

Comments

[kanani]

Beautiful!
Lovely! As I'm reading this, I'm sweltering in the Southeast. I envy the snow, and the fresh air.