Witness Mountain Reflections along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

We took the Cascade Lakes Scenic byway out of Bend and it was a seriously stunning drive into the picturesque mountain view that Bend is well known for. Views of Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters Mountain, and Broken Top were among my favorite. Scott’s sister was along for this part of our trip as she was living in Bend at the time. She pointed out each mountain and informed us that nearly every trail around now requires an advance purchase permit before you can hike it, due to the crazy influx in popularity during the pandemic. So, instead of getting to hike Broken Top, we settle for a less strenuous 2 mile hike along Spark Lake.

It was a beautiful spot with panoramic views. The trail took us along some vibrant lake waters but it was definitely a spot better suited for paddle boarding or playing fetch with your dog in the water. However, we are grateful for having a great place to explore and walk along the lake edge as we drove the byway, even with the lake’s rough 1 mile entrance road. Another leisurely lake that we stopped and walked along was Devil’s Lake and it’s wicked aquamarine color. It was most conveniently located right along the main byway.

To learn more about the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and it’s pit stop opportunities, Visit Bend official website. Discover the 11 day Oregon road trip itinerary and create your very own breathtaking road trip.