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Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway LbNA #26492

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 16, 2006
Location:
City:Bend
County:Deschutes
State:Oregon
Boxes:1
Planted by:jitterbug
Found by: Calli-K
Last found:Oct 29, 2011
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:Oct 16, 2006
This letterbox is easily accessible by children. Pets are okay (PLEASE clean up after them - some have not). The hike is short, level and on a sand trail.

Known as Century Drive until 1989, the Cascade Lakes Highway received formal recognition in 1998 as the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Visitors to the highway find themselves surrounded by a treasure trove of Oregon history, amazing scenery and outdoor activities. Close your eyes and imagine you’re on a wagon train with Kit Carson or John Fremont, seeing the Cascade Range for the first time.

The highway closes in mid-November at Mt. Bachelor due to snow, and reopens in the late spring each year. Mt. Bachelor can be reached year-round from Bend or Sunriver. Access from the south at LaPine will take travelers part of the way, but the road is closed from that direction depending on snowfall.

This letterbox was placed by Anya and her grandma on the first rainy day in October. We hope you enjoy your adventure, and have time to go a little bit further down the road to find the other boxes hidden there. One terrific stop right on the highway is at the Devil’s Garden to see the Native American pictographs on the rocks.

To get to the box, begin your journey in Bend. From the Bend Parkway, take the Reed Market Road off ramp and head west. Be sure you pay attention on the round-abouts, since there are several along the way. The first landmark you will see on your right is the Old Mill District, a mixture of shops and restaurants, movie theaters and the children’s museum. As you continue, the Deschutes River will be on your right, and you’ll cross it on the Bill Healy Memorial Bridge. Stay on Reed Market Road until you find a compass that marks your way. Follow the compass points until you come to the West, and follow its direction. You will find yourself on Century Drive. Century Drive will take you past a Meadow, a Widgi with no Creek, and the 7th mountain. When you come to the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway Information sign, turn into the parking area and park near the information board. During the late spring, summer and early fall you will find brochures giving information on the highlights of the Byway.

From the information board, take the trail to your right closest to the main highway. You’ll learn how the Shevlin-Hixon Company originally logged this area in the early 1920’s. Continue along the path until you come to a viewpoint overlooking the future forest. Here you will learn about the geological history of the Lava Lands, and how the volcanic byproducts are used today. (as of August, 2007, the marker is being replaced so watch for construction) Looking over your right shoulder, look for the jumbled mineral deposits. Standing before them is a lone survivor. At its base, hidden in a crack in the rocks, is the treasure you seek. Be sure to poke with a stick before putting your hand in the hole - you never know who might be sleeping there. Once you complete your mission, please reseal and rehide carefully.

Anya and Jitterbug hope you enjoy your treasure search, and that you have time to enjoy your visit to the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Let us know if you've found the treasure.