Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake
Central Oregon
Trail Difficulty - EASY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The location of this shot is an easy 1/4 mile walk from the parking area.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
5,433 ft Elevation
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Photography Tips
This location can provide many excellent views of South Sister (part of the Three Sisters) and Broken Top mountain with and early morning reflection. I used the lava rocks in the foreground to to help fill the void of the lake and give it depth. However, you can stand other places near this location to capture other great compositions.
The primary challenges to photographing this location is the need a still morning (to provide a mirror reflection), clouds and the sunrise to break through and illuminate the scene. Without each, you just have a wonderful location to look at. You may get lucky and have some ducks swimming through the scene.
Normally, the sunrise will proceed the illumination on the front lava rocks by 15-20 minutes, so either you need to get luck with a sun break in the clouds or you will need to composite the image.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions the parking area for Sparks Lake
From Bend, OR - after leaving Bend, you will drive trough a series of circles take the Cascade Lakes Highway (Forest RD 46) for approximately 24 miles until you see a sign for Sparks Lake Recreation area. Turn left on Forest Rd 4600 into Sparks Lake Recreation area.
Just after turning, take the quick left on Forest Rd 4600-400 (if you continue straight, you will come to the Soda Creek Campground) and drive approximately 1.75 miles on what can be a bumping, pot holed dirt road all the way to a small parking area on the left. Park here and take the Ray Atkeson Trailhead for about 1/4 mile until you come to an opening and you see a sign honoring Ray Atkeson with some lava rocks on the right. The image was taken on the lava rocks.
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 24 mm
Exposure – 1/10 th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – August 9th
Time – 6:25 AM
Best Time of Day to Shoot
This location is best taken at sunrise.
Best Time of Year
The road to Sparks Lake is normally closed from November to March. If you are able to photography this location is late fall or early summer, you stand a better chance of getting snow on the mountains.
Lens(es) Needed
The image above was taken at 24 mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
A day-use pass is required to park at Sparks Lake (May–September), costing $5 per day or $30 for an annual Northwest Forest Pass. Passes can be purchased at the site, from Forest Service offices, or authorized vendors. The area offers boat launches, hiking trails, and is located about 25-50 minutes from Bend.
Direction of the Shot
The shot is taken facing north about 7°.
Equipment Needed
It would best best to have a sturdy tripod incase you need to do an exposure blend or composite your image.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Sparks Lake is a very popular location, but at sunrise, you may be the only person at this location.
Weather
Cell Service
I have Version, and had cell service at this location.
Area Guides and Workshops
None