Cascade Lakes Highway - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 116

3. Devils Garden
Before turning south, the drive passes Devils Hill, a large lava flow, and Devils Garden, a
small meadow at its base. Indians have inhabited this region for the past 10,000 years, and
traces of their presence can be seen in the pictograph that adorns a large boulder. Anoth-
er local rock of historic significance is the one taken from here to the moon by astronaut
James Irwin, one of several Apollo crewmen who trained in this area for lunar landings.
NearbyDevilsLakedelightsvisitorswithaneerieopticalillusion:crystal-clearwateranda
shallowwhitepumicebottommakeitseemasifboatsonthesurfacearefloatinginmidair.
4. Elk Lake
One lovely lake after another unfolds along this stretch of the drive, and all of these spark-
linggemsswarmwithrainbowandbrowntroutaswellaskokaneesalmon.ElkLakeboasts
a picture-perfect setting, with Mt. Bachelor and South Sister rising above the surrounding
forest, and the bright canvas of sailboards skimming across the lake's breezy surface.
LittleLavaLake,farthertothesouth,isthesourceofthefast-flowingDeschutesRiver,
which can be seen from the road as it rushes through great green meadows. An historic
Forest Service guard station offers information to summer visitors.
Just west of the route sprawls the Three Sisters Wilderness, nearly 287,000 acres of
unspoiled beauty accessible by numerous trails. (Black bears, deer, and golden-mantled
ground squirrels are only a few of the creatures you may spot along the way.) Cultus Lake,
which is doubly blessed with gently sloped, sandy beaches and warm waters, is ideal for
swimming, windsurfing, and waterskiing.
5. Crane Prairie Reservoir
Many anglers rate this 4,000-acre man-made lake as the best fishing spot in the state and
one of the best in the country. Osprey Point, on the southwest bank of the reservoir, is a
good place for spotting wood ducks, Canada geese, and the great fish hawks that give the
point its name.
For sheer drama few sights in nature can match that of an osprey in pursuit of prey.
Diving from 100 feet or more above the water, this master hunter zeroes in on a fish and
plunges toward it like a guided missile, thrusting out its taloned feet just before hitting
the water. More often than not, it emerges with a prize—sometimes stolen in midair by a
brazen bald eagle.