Elk Lake lies at the foot of Mount Bachelor in a basin of fir and lodgepole pine, and it is one of the most reflective bodies of water in the Cascades. On a still morning, the cone of Bachelor and the pale spire of South Sister appear in the water as clearly as in the air, and the only disturbance is a fishing boat or a loon's call. The lake sits at around four thousand nine hundred feet, so the air is cool and the days short in spring and autumn.
The valley is the product of ice and fire. Glaciers sculpted the basin during the last ice age, and later volcanic activity covered the surrounding land with ash, pumice, and lava flows. The soil is thin and pale, and the forest is dominated by trees that tolerate such conditions. The lake is a favourite for anglers after trout, and sailors and paddlers like its steady breezes. A small resort on the shore offers rental boats and meals in season, and it is a pleasant spot for a coffee in the sun.
The riding on this section of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a high point. The road runs through forest, with gentle curves and short rises, and the views open up across the lake and toward the volcanoes. Traffic is light for most of the day, though weekends in July and August bring cars, campers, and cyclists. Snow closes the road in winter, usually from November until around May, and cold nights can leave frost on the asphalt well into early summer. It pays to start late and wait for the surface to warm.
For fuel, Bend is the main supply point, and Sunriver and Three Rivers are the nearest smaller communities, though neither is close. This part of the byway is remote, and the nearest large town is some thirty kilometres or more away. Bring water and a little food, and keep an eye on the weather: afternoon thunderstorms can roll in from the south. Mosquitoes in early summer can be fierce near the water, so fresh air and a closed visor help. In September the aspens along the stream edges turn yellow, and the light is clear and sharp.