Tag: Upper Deschutes

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Cascade Lakes Loop

A great view of the road ahead

A series of mountain lakes, trail heads and the headwaters of the Deschutes River are paralleled by a road.

The Cascade Lakes Highway runs from Highway 158 (Willamette Pass road), north along the eastern slope of the Cascade Range, skirts the western edge of Mount Bachelor, before dropping into Bend, Oregon.

Clouds cling to the peak of Mt. Bachleor

We drive this route nearly every season, but from late November to Mid-May snow closes the highway.

By the middle of summer, the traffic is thick, especially on the Bend and Bachelor end of the road. However, a mid-week trek is usually light on tourists, bikers and hikers.

A mountain marsh on the edge of Sparks lake

Sparks Lake is an iconic photo location and for good reason.

There is a massive wetland framed by rocky crevices of Bachelor and dotted with seasonal wildflowers, as well as wildlife.

Thistle sways gently amid marsh grasses

August flora is primarily tiny little blossoms tucked in the dense green marsh grasses.

As for wildlife this stop, we caught sight of a flock of Canada Geese resting where lake and marsh meet.

The best sighting was of tiny frogs, hundreds of hopping reptiles, no bigger than your thumbnail.

They made navigating the boggy marsh an adventure. Let me just say  .  .  .  these little guys weren’t the only thing hopping.  

Head waters of the Deschutes River

Of course the most common stop for us on this road is one of the many access points to the Upper Deschutes River. This day our favorite turnout was open.

We found large patches of Fireweed (Rose Pink Willow Herb) along the river’s edge

This stretch of stream offers excellent places for Tip to fetch and swim.

This day we were met with exceptionally high water levels. Levels we’ve never seen in the month of August.

Mosquitoes were less of a problem than in June. We could actually spend time walking along the banks, where the river hadn’t encroached.

Tip got in some wading, though high water made it impossible to swim after sticks.

On the final leg south, our route winds through Ponderosa forests, between two large reservoirs and right up to our back door.

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A Mountain Loop

Davis Lake with Mt. Washington in the background

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.

The edge of a lava flow, Jack & Tip for scale

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.

Near the head waters of the Deschutes River

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.

Sparks Lake meadow and Mt. Bachelor

The summer fishing is good and the shade is cool along the Upper Deschutes, as summers heat comes on full roar.

 

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Just A Hot Week in July

A stream beats the summer heat

We spent this week trying to stay out of the heat. A wildland fire burning in the southwestern corner of Oregon finally managed to drift some smoke over our way.  The drop in air quality on top of hundred degree daytime temps wasn’t very conducive to outdoor activities.

However, we did manage to fit in a trip to the Upper Deschutes. There are some well shaded nooks along the stream to set up a chair, cast a fly and throw a stick.

The weather man promises a  moderation to record setting heat ahead , , , we’ll see. But there are plans being made to locate other shaded spots.

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Fall Yet?

Our screens are filled with Fall and Halloween, content but summer’s not giving in that easy. The PNW swelters under a heat dome and it does not feel even a little bit like Fall.

Wading rivers is a great way to beat the heat. Usually we can time our trips to take advantage of the cooler morning hours. Neither of these strategies worked this week. The day’s heat never gave way to a typical morning chill. We needed to find a different escape.

The Upper Deschutes is a perfect spot. Tip can enjoy a game of fetch and a swim. A dense lodgepole forest gives plenty of shade along the stream bank so it is a good choice for these last days of summer. The weatherman predicts a shift to more ‘Fall’ like weather in the days to come. For now we make do.

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Stream Side Respite

Early summer on the Deschutes headwaters

The Deschutes River headwaters couldn’t be more different from its iconic lower runs. From Lava Lake to Crane Prairie Reservoir, the Upper Deschutes is more of a creek than river.

It meanders through grass meadows and Lodge Pole pine forests. This week that stretch of river opened. Literally, the USFS unlocked roads and the stream was opened to fishing.

Signs of life after the winter snows retreat

This seven mile stretch of stream is a favorite summer destination. There are great spots to picnic, excellent stick fetching and good fishing. Even in the hottest days of summer, there are shady spots along the river to open a camp chair and enjoy the day.

Few things are more relaxing or peaceful than a spot in the shade by a quietly tumbling stream.

We’ll be back up here often until the snow closes things down for another season.