Visit Central Oregon: Sparks Lake and Photographer Ray Atkeson

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Last month, on my drive down Cascade Lakes Highway, I stopped by the side of the road and took some pictures of Sparks Lake and Mount Bachelor. 

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

There was a roadside marker at the turnout, and it spoke of Ray Atkeson, a famous photographer.  In 1987, Ray was awarded a laureate, the first photographer to ever receive this honor.  Ray seems to have loved Sparks lake as his favorite place ever.

Source:  Ray Atkeson.com

To learn more about Ray, please "CLICK HERE" for the Wikipedia article about his life, after you are done here at Oregon Gifts.  There is also a beautiful website about his work and life at "RAY ATKESON.COM".

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Please slide the bar at the bottom of your screen over to read the rest of these plaques.  Thank you!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

After Ray died, a memorial hiking trail in his name was created on the 400 acre Sparks Lake.  The hiking trail is reported to be an easy hike, and is a 2.3 mile loop.  The first half mile is wheelchair accessible.

I am sorry to say that I didn't drive down to the lake itself the day that I was there.  You need to follow the signs to the boat ramp, and it was getting late in the day and I was alone, so I just went to the first campground where Soda Creek is instead.  

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

(Please "CLICK HERE" to read more about the interesting flood of 1966 that effected Soda Creek.)

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

That is Mt. Bachelor in the background.  There are also beautiful views of South Sister and Broken Top available.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Here are some more links that will give you great pictures and info about Sparks Lake and the Ray Atkeson Memorial Hiking Trail:

http://www.rayatkeson.com/RAIA_Website/Ray_Atkeson.html

http://www.explorecentraloregon.com/sparks-lake/

http://www.mtnview-living.com/centraloregontrails/Trail30/hike30.htm

At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.