Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Another look at Sparks Lake


Yesterday I posted several pictures of Sparks Lake near Bend, Oregon. Today I spoke with a friend who tells me that this is his favorite lake for kayaking. He shared with me that the lake is especially low right now and that, near the spot featured in this picture, there is an underwater drain where the water flows downward into a lava tube and runs under the ground for miles. Soon it will begin to snow and the lake will freeze over and be only accessible to cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts. The road to this lake sometimes does not open until late May and, by that time, after the thaw, it should be brimming to the top with fresh icy water from the high mountain run-off. I hope to return then and see this lovely place garlanded in wildflowers and picture perfect again.

8 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Such a terrific shot, Lee! I love it! Wish I could see it in the spring!

Enjoy!

Sylvia

Small City Scenes said...

You have to take the exact spot in the snow and in the Spring.
I would like to go snowshoeing. I may try it this year. MB

Unseen Rajasthan said...

Neat and beautiful shot !! Lovely !!Unseen Rajasthan

tapirgal said...

It makes a great picture with just that amount of snow on the mountain. It's a bit hard to imagine many feet of snow piled onto this scene, but I'm sure it looks fantastic in any season.

It looks like a place you'd have to approach by a very long trail. It's nice that it's fairly accessible.

Lowell said...

That was my first thought when I saw the photo yesterday - that the water was low...

You're not a cross-country skier or snowshoe enthusiast? Darn! I figured we'd get some very special winter shots of this area.

Knowing you, though, you probably hike up here in the snow with tennis shoes on, carrying your jacket and a glass of iced tea! So maybe we'll see those photos, anyway?

;-)

Have a great day, Lee!

cieldequimper said...

I'll be looking forward to spring photos!
Monsieur Lee, you will be very disappointed. I don't live in a house!

Raksha said...

I'm looking forward to seeing it in the spring, and seeing what kinds of wildflowers you have around Bend that we don't have here. Even in northern California, the roadside flowers aren't the same as they are down here. Hopefully, I'll get my camera and computer issues straightened out by then so I can start posting some of my flower pictures.

Jim said...

Awesome scenery.
Sydney - City and Suburbs