I hadn’t been to Sparks Lake in a couple of years and decided that yesterday the last day of summer and the first afternoon of Fall would be a perfect time to go. The road into the boat ramp was much rougher than I remembered and I was glad that I had a car with a higher clearance. The forest service is responsible for this road and they have not maintained it at all in the last several years.
This photo is of a sign that represents the lake when it is full. It is quite huge and shallow which makes it popular for kayakers and paddleboarders early in the season.
Sparks lake was formed when Mt Bachelor erupted 10,000 years ago and the lava created a natural dam which began collecting rain and snow forming the lake. As the summer goes on the yearly captured water trickles down through the lava and runs underground until it comes back up at the surface for several streams and Little Lava Lake.
By late September the lake has usually drained enough that there is a large meadow with several channels running through it.
These last two shots overlook where the boat ramp is South Sister Mountain is in the background
I decided to go back to my car and then access the lake just beyond these trees. I didn’t get to that exact spot but I got close anyway.
From the other side of the trees, I was able to get a close up shot of South Sister, by using just my favorite 90 mm macro lens.
And a close up shot of Broken Top with the same lens. Both of these mountains I can see from my house on the north side, but they are so different from this angle.
I am hoping I can remember to go back to this lake in July or early August of next year…. Assuming I don’t get busy….
