Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

The jagged peak of Broken Top Mountain rises from a bowl of trees in this shot from the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

The sunlight is reflected from the snow on the mountains near Mt. Bachelor lodge.

Boats dock in the sky blue waters of the harbor at Elk Lake.

Strips of land are seen along the placid waters of Sparks Lake.

Greenery surrounds the narrow strip of the Upper Deschutes River.

An assembly of trees seemingly stand guard against the snow-covered peaks of Mt. Bachelor.

In the distance, Mt. Bachelor makes a daunting figure in the wide greenery of Sparks Meadow.

Cultus Lake is one of the many beautiful lakes found on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway stretches through the Deschutes National Forest.

Cultus Lake sits nestled among the trees of the Deschutes National Forest.

Devil's Garden, and other huge mountains of lava rock line portions of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Devil's Lake is one of the many lakes nestled among the trees along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Elk Lake can be seen through the trees on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Magnificent Mt. Bachelor rises behind Lava Lake on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

The snow-covered peaks of Mt. Bachelor rise above the Deschutes National Forest on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

A glimmer of Lava Lake can be seen with South Sister and Broken Top Mountains in the background.

Mountains stand in the distance, topped with clouds and snow, while a sign tells you of your destination: Lava Butte, elevation 5,020.

Dark rock peaks contrast with white snow fields that cling to the higher reaches of Broken Top Mountain.

In summer, Dutchman Flat appears as a barren desert surrounded by the lush green foliage on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

A visitor takes the opportunity to explore the thickly forested hills and wide meadows that are just some of the many scenic areas surrounding Mt. Bachelor.

Oregon's Lava Cast Forest is blanketed by a blue sky and clouds. A mountain stands in the background.

A visitor to the byway pauses to check out the information at Sparks Meadow.

Purple wildflowers sweep over the ground, dotting the green grass of the meadow.

Evergreens surround the lush meadow, providing a shady area for those that visit.

South Sister can be seen in the background of this view of Elk Lake.

The remains of an old lava flow slopes gently down to the bank of Davis Lake.

Travelers prepare to go sledding at the base of Mt. Bachelor in the middle of October.

At 286 feet, Salt Creek Falls may be Oregon's second highest waterfall.

Mt. Bachelor as seen from Sparks Lake. Duplicate of 25258

A solitary round rock on the edge of a cloudy turquoise lake provides the perfect spot to set up your camera or relax after a long hike across snow patches in the mountains.

South Sister provides a snow-covered backdrop to Sparks Lake.

Even in the middle of summer, the top of Mt. Bachelor is covered in snow.

From this angle, the unique nature of Sparks Lake is clearly visible.

Gravel banks provide a stark contrast to the snowy slopes on the opposite side of a high mountain lake.

Along the edges of Broken Top Mountain are scatterings of large rocks.

Striped cream and rust-colored rocks line many of the pathways up Broken Top Mountain.

Rocky slopes meet before a jagged, tilted and multi-colored cliff.

From the vantage point on the slopes, another snow covered mountain is easily seen.

Winter still clings stubbornly to Broken Top Mountain.

A solitary rock stands bare of the snow that surrounds it.

High on the hills are rocky escarpments that give an impression of silent vigilance.

Stretching out for miles is the lush grass and rocky pathways of Sparks Meadow.

High above the valley, a vivid red rock mountainside stands out against the gentle blues of the mountainous horizon.