Framed Mountain Landscape

Anyone camping near Lake Cascade needs to take this drive up this great mountain road. We did it in our SUV without any trouble. You well find... more

by Robert Bales

Title

Framed Mountain Landscape

Artist

Robert Bales

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

Anyone camping near Lake Cascade needs to take this drive up this great mountain road. We did it in our SUV without any trouble. You well find places like this and many wildflowers along with some wildlife.
The drive up Snowbank was uncomplicated, following NF-446 all the way to its end. This was our first time on one of Idaho�s many National Forest Service roads, and it wasn�t nearly as rough as we had feared. Not all the NFS roads are as well maintained, particularly as you get away from population centers. But NF-446, while unpaved, was smooth and easily large enough for two vehicles.

We started our ascent in the morning, and enjoyed spectacular views of Cascade�s Long Valley awakening to vibrant life in the strengthening sunlight. The scene from the top of Snowbank Mountain was magnificent. We passed by an FAA Radar Station and parked next to an antenna tower where we took in a panoramic view which stretched out over Lake Cascade, extending for miles in every direction.

On the way back down, we stopped at a trailhead marking a one-mile hike to Blue Lake began. This was a short, simple walk, which wound slightly downhill through fields of wildflowers until reaching the lake, as sparkling blue as its name implies. There were some fishermen already present, as well as a rowdy group of kids on the far end of the lake who had spent the night camping. which is a little ways from this photo!

Uploaded

August 3rd, 2013