We spent this week under a heat dome. Not as bad as the southwest, but still a snow-melting stretch of weather. So we toured the Cascade Lakes Highway.
We do this loop a couple of times a year, that is, the whole route around Bachelor. Sunriver to Crescent.
In this case, the opposite direction is a great early summer drive with lots of places to stop, walk around, and take photos.
Davis, Wickiup, and Crane Prairie are full from runoff, which is better than it’s been the last few years.
Most of the snow has receded to the highest points. We’ve made this trip in late May and snow banks frequently line the highway . . . but not this time.
The meadows and marshes are a vibrant green, but not yet filled with wildflowers. That will have to be another trip.
Typically one of the stops is just below Lava Lake, at the head waters of the Deschutes River. However, the stop was brief as the mosquitoes were thick and hungry.
The closer you get to Bachelor, the more cars are encountered, so we rarely venture past Lava Lake.
The summer fishing is good and the shade is cool along the Upper Deschutes, as summers heat comes on full roar.
Few things are more relaxing or peaceful than a spot in the shade by a quietly tumbling stream.
April showers brought additional snow pack to the mountains and we found six foot banks on the highway between Bachelor and Elk Lake. Meaning, it will be a few weeks before you see wild flowers in those alpine meadows.
