First Snow

Dawn at Sparks Lake, one of the most photogrenic alpine lakes in the Oregon Cascade Range, after a night when the first snow had fallen on South Sister (left) and Broken Top. Usually, the road through the mountains to this lake closes after the first snowfall. But to my surprise, when I arrived at the gate where they normally close the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway, it was still open. I had no problem getting into the lake with my four-wheel drive and was greeted to a magical morning of fresh snow on the mountains and a glassy lake surface.