Lower Cascade Lake
Lower Cascade Lake sits right alongside Route 73 in the Adirondacks, offering one of the most accessible mountain lake views in the entire region. The lake reflects the surrounding peaks beautifully, and when conditions are calm, you get strong mirror reflections that double the drama of the scene. Pull over at the small roadside turnout and shoot from the water's edge, framing the lake with the forested slopes rising on either side. A wide angle lens works well here to capture the full sweep of the scene, though a short telephoto lets you compress the layers of ridgeline in the background. Early morning is ideal, when mist often sits on the water and light is soft and directional before the sun climbs above the peaks. Autumn is the peak season when the surrounding hardwoods turn, but the location rewards visits year round. (Keene, Adirondack Park, New York, United States)
