Peaceful morning at Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Treasure Hunt     

Finding Jewels on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway    

by Kyla Merwin Cheney 

 

A dozen dazzling lakes along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway glitter like jewels scattered throughout the Deschutes National Forest. These high mountain lakes are known for their clear, cold water as well as providing a fantastic playground for recreational pursuits.  

In addition to the commanding views of the majestic Three Sisters volcanoes (Faith, Hope & Charity), you'll find opportunities for fishing, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, swimming, sailing, and picnicking.  

Traveling west from Mt. Bachelor, you'll find these gems, one after the next. The hardest part of this adventure is deciding which lake to go to. We offer some help with these highlights: READ MORE 

 

Photo: Todd Lake, courtesy of USFS   

 

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The Ring of Fire



The Cascade Mountains are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the ring of volcanoes and associated mountains around the Pacific Ocean. Oregon has the most volcanoes (21) in the country; 11 of those are in the  Cascade Mountains. 
Photo: Sparks Lake, South Sister
Source: Wikipedia.