Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway

Carol Freshley July 13, 2016

If you would like to take a day and spend it in awe behind your camera's viewfinder this would be the drive to take. It is a 66-mile route that holds a photographic opportunity at just about every curve you take. The route is part of the Deschutes National Forest. Tom and I were coming around more bends in the road than we can count with a "wow"! Plus, the wildflowers are in their peak blooming stage and the weather was perfect, although very windy. Locals are complaining about the wind this year. For us it meant choppy lake waters and tough-to-get photos of the wild flowers. The photos are more or less in the order they were taken so you can enjoy the trip as we took it. No promises, however, that every one is properly placed.

Mt. Bachelor from the meadow along the road leading to Todd Lake.  Mt. Bachelor is a highly rated down-hill ski area with numerous ski runs on its north face and a summit of 9,065 feet.  We opted not to drive further down the road to the l… — Mt. Bachelor from the meadow along the road leading to Todd Lake. Mt. Bachelor is a highly rated down-hill ski area with numerous ski runs on its north face and a summit of 9,065 feet. We opted not to drive further down the road to the lake, saving it for our next trip.

Same meadow as above.  While Tom ventured out into the meadow I stayed with the car that was not properly parked (over the top parking issues at most stops).  I spent the time in a futile effort to capture some water droplet photos in a ne… — Same meadow as above. While Tom ventured out into the meadow I stayed with the car that was not properly parked (over the top parking issues at most stops). I spent the time in a futile effort to capture some water droplet photos in a nearby pine tree.

I would give this one a 10 on green and a 0 on reflections!

Our first clue as to why the sign several miles back told us that Sparks Lake was closed.  We later found out that it will re-open on July 18th. — Our first clue as to why the sign several miles back told us that Sparks Lake was closed. We later found out that it will re-open on July 18th.

While we were bummed that Sparks Lake access was closed as that was the #1 spot we wanted to photograph.  We made the best of it by photographing the meadows around the lake that are accessible along the road. — While we were bummed that Sparks Lake access was closed as that was the #1 spot we wanted to photograph. We made the best of it by photographing the meadows around the lake that are accessible along the road.

Looking backwards away from Mt. Bachelor we saw two artists plein-air painting.  The snow-capped mountain behind her is South Sister. — Looking backwards away from Mt. Bachelor we saw two artists plein-air painting. The snow-capped mountain behind her is South Sister.

If you are willing to walk across a boggy bottom you can find small creeks running either into or out of Sparks Lake.  Good time to get your shoes wet! — If you are willing to walk across a boggy bottom you can find small creeks running either into or out of Sparks Lake. Good time to get your shoes wet!

A short drive around the curve from the last shooting location we came to the marker that commemorates Ray Atkinson, the one and only ever Oregon Photographer Laureate.    He dedicated his life to photographing the Pacific Northwest a… — A short drive around the curve from the last shooting location we came to the marker that commemorates Ray Atkinson, the one and only ever Oregon Photographer Laureate. He dedicated his life to photographing the Pacific Northwest and is credited with inspiring several generations to protect the area's beautiful wilderness.

Once again I find myself thrilled by such clear water.  Those are shiny rocks at the bottom of this small stream. — Once again I find myself thrilled by such clear water. Those are shiny rocks at the bottom of this small stream.

Devil's Lake known for its green, aquamarine or turquoise color, depending on the light.  It is popular with fishermen and kayakers. — Devil's Lake known for its green, aquamarine or turquoise color, depending on the light. It is popular with fishermen and kayakers.

This is Elk Lake.  It is large and on the opposite bank there is a lodge, restaurant and boat rental business.  There were several families with small children enjoying a picnic right on this sandy beach. — This is Elk Lake. It is large and on the opposite bank there is a lodge, restaurant and boat rental business. There were several families with small children enjoying a picnic right on this sandy beach.

Look carefully and you can spot the Lodge across the lake.  That would be our destination for lunch. — Look carefully and you can spot the Lodge across the lake. That would be our destination for lunch.

After an expensive lunch (location, location, location), we explored the marina.  After seeing Tom's shots I deleted mine. — After an expensive lunch (location, location, location), we explored the marina. After seeing Tom's shots I deleted mine.

Tom comes up and asks me if I saw the reflections of the kayaks.  No, of course not.  He sees everything as an artist.  I am not so gifted but working on it. — Tom comes up and asks me if I saw the reflections of the kayaks. No, of course not. He sees everything as an artist. I am not so gifted but working on it.

Down the road from Elk Lake, after passing several more lake opportunities, we parked (sort of) at Hosmer Lake.  In is popular kayakers and canoers.  An excited kayaker just returning told us tshe hat they had just completed a 5 mile trip … — Down the road from Elk Lake, after passing several more lake opportunities, we parked (sort of) at Hosmer Lake. In is popular kayakers and canoers. An excited kayaker just returning told us tshe hat they had just completed a 5 mile trip to a gorgeous waterfall. We must go take pictures she told us. Well, not on this day, but maybe some day. This is the west side of Mt. Bachelor.

From the boat launch area at Hosmer Lake.  These kayakers are lined up like planes coming into an airport. — From the boat launch area at Hosmer Lake. These kayakers are lined up like planes coming into an airport.

The first in a series of dams on the Deschutes River broadens the river to form a large plain called Crane Prairie Reservoir.  It is reputed to be one of the best fishing lakes in Oregon.  Osprey join humans in the pursuit of fish and ther… — The first in a series of dams on the Deschutes River broadens the river to form a large plain called Crane Prairie Reservoir. It is reputed to be one of the best fishing lakes in Oregon. Osprey join humans in the pursuit of fish and there are enough of them nesting sites that an Osprey Observation Point has been created to allow birders to watch these fish hawks dive for their dinner.

Take a moment and sit with me.  Please don't talk.  Just listen. — Take a moment and sit with me. Please don't talk. Just listen.

I walked by the rocks and scared this little fledgling out of its hiding place.  We could spot a parent with food in its beak flying back and forth waiting for us to leave.  Tom said the parent eventually flew in and fed it. — I walked by the rocks and scared this little fledgling out of its hiding place. We could spot a parent with food in its beak flying back and forth waiting for us to leave. Tom said the parent eventually flew in and fed it.

Across the reeds you can see, left to right, South Sister, Broken Top and Mt Bachelor.

The campground was FULL.  Many families were at the lake enjoying their summer vacation. — The campground was FULL. Many families were at the lake enjoying their summer vacation.

Next up are the photographs taken from the passenger side of our 'toad'. These photos, to me, are some of the best memories that could only be gotten by being willing to shoot from the car. There are few pull-outs along the road and often even they are only safe for one direction of traffic. Enjoy.

We drove on home, tired and happy. We hope to go back one more time before we leave the Central Oregon area.

Cline Falls

Carol Freshley July 11, 2016

After two full days of driving we arrived in Redmond, OR and after getting Mellie all set up we were anxious to get out and hike a bit (loosen up our stiff bodies!!). We selected Cline Falls as it was close by and just the right length of a hike for the end of a long day. The falls are, as the name implies, a series of waterfalls that flow over basalt rocks. The falls are described as being 20 feet in height but as you can see below they actually have various heights. We were fortunate to see them with flowing water. Some years these falls run dry!

As you can see, sort of, we were challenged by shooting into the sun.

I could not tell what this structure was built for or if it was associated in any way with the falls, but I liked it.  It was located downstream from the falls. — I could not tell what this structure was built for or if it was associated in any way with the falls, but I liked it. It was located downstream from the falls.

On our way to the falls.  We were actually still looking for the trail at this point and we were taking the most difficult possible route!  We spotted some young kids walking above us and thought, "those kids must be headed to the waterfal… — On our way to the falls. We were actually still looking for the trail at this point and we were taking the most difficult possible route! We spotted some young kids walking above us and thought, "those kids must be headed to the waterfall". Let's follow them! Sure enough, it was an easy hike after getting on the right trail!

We worked the falls for about an hour and then returned on an easy trail to our car.  The last gold of the day lit up scene. — We worked the falls for about an hour and then returned on an easy trail to our car. The last gold of the day lit up scene.

Challis to Lemhi Pass

Carol Freshley July 11, 2016

Imagine you are riding in the back seat of a 2012 Forrester. We are leaving early in the morning from Challis with the goal of shooting along the highway until we get to Salmon. Your job is helping us find safe pull-outs for shooting and joining us as we photograph whatever looks interesting (could involve some walking along the road to get back to what we thought that was the 'perfect' shot). Stay with us as we decide to go a few extra miles to check out Lemhi Pass. Laugh with us as we realize that this short trip is turning into a long one and we are not prepared for that! Bump along 12 miles on a dirt road to get to Lemhi Pass. Feel a bit smug when you get to what might feel like the top of the world. Enjoy being surrounded by wildflowers. Breathe in cool fresh air. Be treated to the most blue sky you have seen in decades. When you get back into the car, realize that only half the trip has been completed . . . you have the trip back to Challis to enjoy.

From the top of Lemhi Pass looking northward.

Wildflowers gone WILD!  Lemhi Pass. — Wildflowers gone WILD! Lemhi Pass.

Lemhi Pass but this time looking southward.  Going back home! — Lemhi Pass but this time looking southward. Going back home!

On the way back, I spot them.  Stop!  OK, me stop as I was driving.  Purple.  Many photos later we resume our journey home.  Tom is a good sport.  After a bit he joins me in trying to get bees on flowers, or whatever my… — On the way back, I spot them. Stop! OK, me stop as I was driving. Purple. Many photos later we resume our journey home. Tom is a good sport. After a bit he joins me in trying to get bees on flowers, or whatever my 'joy of the moment' is.

The diversity in the landscape offers what feels like limitless photographic opportunities.  This is just another 'curve' in the road (with a safe pull-out). — The diversity in the landscape offers what feels like limitless photographic opportunities. This is just another 'curve' in the road (with a safe pull-out).

Quiet commentary.  We were waiting for a pilot car to lead us through a construction zone.  What is a 'bored girl to do!?  Click, of course. — Quiet commentary. We were waiting for a pilot car to lead us through a construction zone. What is a 'bored girl to do!? Click, of course.

Dang it!  He always gets the good shots!  Actually, that is only partially true.  I was driving and pulled over and then drove back to get this shot!!  But, I went down-river to find it (was not a short distance).  He found … — Dang it! He always gets the good shots! Actually, that is only partially true. I was driving and pulled over and then drove back to get this shot!! But, I went down-river to find it (was not a short distance). He found it right away and grabbed it! Notice the fence, the reflection . . . Argh..... It was NOT to be seen down-river! What was I thinking. (I must have known, sub-consciously, that Tom would get the shot). We are a team!

If you are thinking of a great place to explore central Idaho, Challis is the place to consider for a home base. We stayed at the Pioneer RV Park and were delightfully surprised with great internet service, a convenient and cheap launderette and grass outside our door. We will happily return here. If you are a 'senior' you get a discount!