
Deschutes Country road crew removes snow from the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway
By ROB DEHARPPORT/for The Herald — After many days of operating snowblower, front end loaders and road graders, the Deschutes County Road Department opened the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway on Tuesday, May 23rd.
The annual task tackled deeper snow this year than in recent years. Many man hours and a cost estimated above $100,000 is a worthy investment as the tourism industry in Central Oregon depends greatly on this Scenic Byway.
The work began weeks ago from the north and south ends of the Highway. Deep snow will persist for some time limiting road side parking and access to trail heads, Lakes and hiking areas.
Resorts are mostly all open
However, all of the resorts within the Cascade Lakes Highway area are open or soon will be open. Elk Lake Resort is usually the last to open but will be open before the Memorial weekend.

Deep snow and ice still blanket areas of the Cascades as in this picture of East Lake.
The road to Paulina Lake and East Lakes has been open since last week. Both resorts are open. Similar conditions due to lingering deep snow limit access to trail heads and campgrounds and boat ramps within Newberry Crater. Paulina is free of ice, East Lake reports ice and snow still covering much of the lake.
Snow still a hinderance at some lakes
Miller Lake is still inaccessible and covered with ice. Snow is reportedly 5 feet deep at Miller Lake.
Access to Spring Campground and Contorta Point at Crescent Lake remains blocked by snow drifts. Crescent Lake Campground will open as soon as danger tree mitigation and clean up is completed. Possibly by this weekend. The low water boat ramp can be used at Crescent Lake Campground, all other boat ramps will be high and dry again this year.
My friend Clay Jones and I fished Odell Lake and Wickiup Reservoir last weekend. Like most anglers we were hopeful that “the bite” would be on! Unfortunately, that was not the case- yet.
Successful reports from Kokanee anglers have been sparse. However, those who locate schools of Kokanee and can stay on top of them have had some success. It’s a simple matter of finding them and catching them. Haha! That’s why we call it fishing! Success is never guaranteed. However, as they say – “The worst day fishing beats the best day at work!”

Trevor Marchant with his Cultus Lake Resort Mackinaw Tournament winning fish. 15lbs, 7 ounces.
A “Big Mack” takes the prize
At the Cultus Lake Resort’s Mackinaw Tournament last weekend a 15lb. Mack won the tourney, rewarding the winning angler with a trophy and $1200. Thunderstorms have been a menace along the Cascades for the last week. High winds and the possibility of lighting has affected when and where it’s safe to be on any of our high lakes.
Odell Lake Resort’s Annual Mackinaw Tournament is coming up next weekend. $100 entry fee. Mack fishing has been good at Odell. A 26 pounder was reported at the resort last Saturday.
Free fishing day
The free fishing, crabbing and clamming weekend will be June 3rd and 4th. This allows folks who don’t have a fishing license to fish, crab and clam throughout the state.
Off shore fishing for Halibut, Lingcod and Rockfish continues to be good when ocean conditions allow.

If you venture outdoors this weekend, don’t forget to pack along the sunscreen and mosquito repellent!
Slowly, but surely the snow is leaving the high country. Summer is around the corner! Whenever and wherever you venture out and about in our great outdoors be sure to be prepared. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent will soon be common items to carry. Get out and enjoy our outdoors, create some memories for your kids and grandkids. Safe travels and tight lines!

Sunrise at Wickiup Reservoir

Rob DeHarpport was a long-term resident and former mayor of Westfir. Rob now lives in the Crescent Lake area and is The Herald’s reporter for the Outdoor Report.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.