un dia / 68 milles / 2 hores 15 minuts
This byway cuts a path through the mountains, lakes, and forests of central Oregon. Volcanism and glaciation formed more than 150 lakes for which the region is well known. See outstanding examples of lava flows, alpine lakes, and meadows. Cross paths taken by such historic figures as Kit Carson.
Dia 1
9:00 - 11.4 milles / 22 minuts - 9:22
Through nature's quirkiness, Dutchman Flat is an entirely
different landscape than the rest of the byway and the area
surrounding it: it's a small pumice desert which has not
accumulated enough soil nutrients to sustain the growth of any
plants except for a few extremely hearty plants such as
pink-bloomed pussypaws and yellow-bloomed sulfur flowers.
Incidentally, parts of the movie How the West Was
Won, starring Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum, were filmed
in this area.9:52 - 0.6 milles / un minut - 9:54
Fifteen miles west of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway are hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing opportunities at the Swampy Lakes area. From the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot, skiers or hikers can enjoy a variety of marked trails from 2 to 10 miles in length. The area provides five shelters that are usually stocked with wood in the winter. On the other side of the Cascade Lakes Highway in the same general area are snowmobile trails. Sno-Park permits are required for both areas in winter. The elevation of this area is about 5,600 feet.
10:54 - 5.2 milles / 10 minuts - 11:04
A short walk from the parking area, this small, picturesque lake is just the place for the visitor looking for a secluded tent-camping area without the noise of traffic and motors.
13:04 - 4.2 milles / 8 minuts - 13:12
This trail is one of several access points into the Three
Sisters Wilderness area.
The Three Sisters Wilderness Area is really worth hiking into
(no motorized vehicles allowed) because its 200,000 acres are
covered with 111 lakes and miles of solitudinous trails.
The area is also important to get into because the largest glacier
in Oregon (Collier Glacier) is located in North Sister.
On this trail and other trails in Three Sisters, wildlife is
running everywhere and can be seen in abundance along the trails.
Most common on these trails are deer, the golden-mantled ground
squirrel, and the noisy Clark's Nutcracker.13:32 - 21.2 milles / 42 minuts - 14:15
An artificial lake made in 1929 for irrigation purposes, Crane
Prairie Reservoir is outstanding for fishing and an important
breeding ground for the Osprey (fish hawk).
Osprey were identified as a potentially endangered species in
1969. Osprey are active at Crane Prairie and surrounding lakes and
streams during their migratory stay (May to October).
From the parking lot, a short walk takes you to an observation
area on the west side of the reservoir. Here you can view snags and
artificial nesting poles inhabited by the birds.
Many visitors are entertained as Osprey dive for fish from more
than a hundred feet above the water. Also likely to be present are
Cormorants, Terns, a variety of ducks and Bald Eagles.14:30 - 25.2 milles / 50 minuts - 15:20