Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway...............

The day was cloudy and rain was predicted the day we drove the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, a 66 mile beautiful road that runs along the side of the Cascade Mountains through a volcanic landscape, dotted with mountain lakes. It is an angler's delight! If we stayed long enough, I would take up fishing. No kidding. For more information, click here.

Mt. Bachelor (ski area) up ahead....and bike racers coming down the mountain 

Sparks Lake area...mountain JUST fogged in....

volcanic rock everywhere

and of course, beautiful pines everywhere as well 

The landscape was intriguing, and the mountain backdrops a bonus, but the nicest things to me are the lakes. They are surrounded by pines, and most have views of the snow-capped mountains and or volcanic rock. Very nice! We were dodging rain the whole day, so some of the mountains were fogged in for a bit. Next thing you know, the clouds lift and you can see the mountains. We had a crazy weather day, but we lucked out and were able to enjoy our adventure fully.

even in the rain...just spectacular

Devil's Lake...

Devil's Lake-my favorite-even in the rain and cold (its in the 30's here and we had some snow showers too)

One of the lakes had about 40 white pelicans. I think they come here to breed. That's why some of the pelicans have the huge bump on the beak. To learn more, click here. We enjoy watching them, and spent a bit of time at this spot. We even stopped again later on our way back!

white pelicans breeding here (check the bubble on the beak)

so many pelicans here at this spot

the other side of the road....lots of geese and ducks in the reeds

lovely

The landscape was constantly changing. We would see thick pine forest, and then mounds of lava rock, some with trees growing out of it, and then we'd see the charred trees resulting from a forest fire. The lakes were gorgeous. We had mountain views the entire way. Take a look at some of the variety we saw on our drive.

Lava hills sporadically visible from the road

results of a forest fire

just outside Davis Lake

we tried to get to this lake (Davis Lake), but there were too many downed trees in the road

the bees were busy in these bushes-the buzzing was so loud :)

another volcanic mountainside

lots of roads throughout our travels in Oregon look like this...magnificent!

back at the "pelican lake"

so much fun just watching them

I counted 40 pelicans here

another lake/resort along the Scenic Byway 

just amazed by the lava rocks everywhere

the road travels along this clear river

so clear....but don't drink the water

very nice

these were sweet flowers

tree growing out of the volcanic rock

We stopped at almost all of the lakes. They each had a different atmosphere, to me. This one was fishing oriented. How peaceful these guys looked just fishing in the cold rain, tucked in among the reeds and pines, with the mountain overlooking them.

lots of birds here too

such a peaceful fishing spot 

lots of moisture in the air...so different from the desert environment we've been in the past few months

love the moss growing on the branches

closeup

and the lichen that seems to grow on anything

the dead logs are just left....and the new trees grown through them

oh...and another lake....with a few fisherman....so peaceful

Back on the road....Mount Bachelor is fogged in, but its right there

we were lucky the weather was just spotty - we had some clear moments too throughout the day

fascinating to me...mountains of pine and mountains of volcanic rock...

The weather was holding up when we stopped at Devil's Lake again on our way back, and we took a hike around the small lake. It was gorgeous. There were campsites (tents only) scattered randomly around the lake too. Even though it was a pretty cool day (30's and 40's, depending on the elevation on the drive), there were still people camping, though not too many. 

This lake was so pretty, with gorgeous green and turquoise water. Some areas on our hike around the lake were normal wooded areas with a dirt floor, and other areas were volcanic rock. What a variety. You can see that in the hills surrounding the lake too. 

so pretty

a tree family-hahah

flowers were blooming on the lava rocks as well

Tom paying our park use fee

starting our hike around the lake-trails through the lava beds

this is so nice Susie!

ducks enjoying the water as much as we were

a bit of leftover snow

careful now...

just look at that water!

the view from the end of the lake

this is spectacular-nature's beauty!

some of the path was lined in volcanic rocks

more flowers taking hold in the lava rocks

want to head into the forest now?

look at all those pesky bugs!!

hello there

the landscape is so different on this side of the lake

I know Susie...your favorite hiking...no ledges...pinetrees....soft pine needle dirt....a beautiful lake...snow...cold weather

really enjoying this beautiful area!

moving right along

these are nice

such a pretty view

By later in the afternoon, the weather had cleared up a little more and we were able to see the mountain across the valley and Spark Lake, which we couldn't see in the morning. The views were awesome and I can only imagine on a sunny day what the area would be like. Though, I must say, the dark clouds gave a dramatic touch to our views!

lots more visibility here at Sparks Lake than we had this morning

still some very dark threatening clouds

Even though the skies were threatening, we started out on a short hike at Spark Lake. What a treat! We really enjoyed this interesting hike through lava rocks. I was especially thrilled that there were no ledges or cliffs...hahahah!

Ray Atkeson was a renowned nature photographer in the Central Oregon

the beginning of the trail is fully accesssible

such cool volcanic landscape here

the views of the mountains were really nice as well

check out that landscape...a little bit of everything nature has to offer

another view

mountains are peaking out...but I think the clouds are going to win today

this was the dedication spot for the photographer this trail was dedicated to

such a cool landscape

a couple of paddlers enjoying the serene environment

the trail heads into the woods here

some obstacles along the way

a closeup of some interesting things

ready?

how cool is that?

lots of lava rocks...and the trees can grow out of them!

the trail cuts through the lava rocks in places

lichen growing on the lava rocks

a big rift right next to the trail

the trail meanders along the lake for a bit

Oregon's answer to Utah's slot canyons! Ha! Part of the trail went through Davis Canyon (?), a short canyon of lava rock! Very cool .... and no rock scrambling required! Yeah!  The only obstacles were some fallen trees we needed to duck under.

I think its considered a slot if you can touch both walls with your arms outstretched???

its not really a slot, but it sure is a fun canyon

wonderful geology here

lava rocks, moss....hmmm, a bit like Iceland

still some snow here in parts

a few obstacles

fun times

looks like something could live in that little "cave"

this is easier for short people! 

an interesting hike!

and no ledges!

you can see how the lava just oozed and fell over

And so ends our exploration of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. What a treat!

heading back to the campground