During the summer, the Cascade Lakes Highway is the most popular excursion out of Bend. This National Scenic Byway is an 87-mile loop that packs in some of the finest scenery in the Oregon Cascades. Along the way are a dozen lakes and frequent views of the jagged Three Sisters peaks and the rounded Mount Bachelor. The lakes provide ample opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking. At the Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau, 917 Harriman St., Suite 101 (tel. 800/949-6086 or 541/382-8048), you can pick up a guide to the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Keep in mind that from mid-November to late May, this road is closed west of Mount Bachelor due to snow.
The first area of interest along the highway is Dutchman Flat, just west of Mount Bachelor. A thick layer of pumice produces desertlike conditions that support only a few species of hardy plants. A little farther and you come to Todd Lake, a pretty little lake a bit off the highway; it's reached by a short trail. Swimming, picnicking, and camping are all popular here.
Sparks Lake, the next lake along this route, is shallow and marshy and has lava fields at its southern end. An easy trail with frequent glimpses of the lake meanders through these forested lava fields. To find this trail, drive to the end of the Sparks Lake access road. The lake is a popular canoeing spot, though you'll need to bring your own boat. At the north end of the lake, closer to the highway, you'll also find the trail head for a popular mountain-biking trail that heads south to Lava Lake. Across the highway from the marshes, at the north end of the lake, is the trail head for Green Lakes, a series of small lakes that are in the Three Sisters Wilderness at the foot of Broken Top Mountain. This is one of the most popular backpacking routes in the region and offers spectacular scenery. The hike to Green Lakes can also be done as a day hike. West of the Green Lakes trail head is an area known as Devils Garden, where several springs surface on the edge of a lava flow. On a boulder here you can still see a few Native American pictographs.
With its wide-open waters and reliable winds, Elk Lake is popular for sailing and windsurfing. There are cabins, a lodge, and campsites around the lake. Hosmer and Lava Lakes are both known as good fishing lakes, while spring-fed Little Lava Lake is the source of the Deschutes River. Cultus Lake, with its sandy beaches, is a popular swimming lake. At the Crane Prairie Reservoir you can observe osprey between May and October. The Twin Lakes are examples of volcanic maars (craters) that have been filled by springs. These lakes have no inlets or outlets.
