You can camp there and walk literally just a couple of minutes to both trailheads. Expect to find the pools somewhere in the range of 100-120 degrees. Some RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. For some reason I heard it in my head in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme. Hines, OR 97738 The area is the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon and an iconic part of the Oregon's High Desert landscape. The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road has just been opened. Its bumpy in places, but much of the surface has been upgraded and improved in recent years, except for one short, narrow, steep section of the road near the viewpoints of Big Indian and Little Blitzen gorges. The summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out here - but the views are spectacular. Couloir climbing may be an option, but should be approached as a multiday trek with the possibility of avalanche from giant cornices that mass along the summit crest.Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. A Trip to Steens, Oregons Secret Mountain, Relax at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. Steens Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.968m (9,737ft) above the sea level, located in Harney County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Mountain, which rests in the clouds at nearly 10,000 feet. LockA locked padlock Every year, the Bureau of. Carl Axelsen, member since 1999 mule deer and elk also call the mountain home. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. Later, the area became known as Steen's Mountain, named after the Army Cavalry Major, who defeated and removed the Native American population from the mountain during the Snake Indian Wars. A route page exists for this option.In winter the gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. Steens Mountain is one of Oregons great scenic and geologic wonders, a 30-mile/48.2-kilometer fault block that is a small mountain range rather than a single peak. Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. Blustery, 100-degree days are common and snow can fall year-round. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. The south. This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. Your safety and enjoyment are important. From the summit, the tour route eases down the mountains western slope. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. This sub-alpine area is home to hundreds of wildflower species, including the Steens Mountain paintbrush, which exists in no other place in the world. It seems like most people dont know about Steens Mountain, and fewer have been. While spring and fall are your best bets, the mountain Loop Road is only open certain months of the year - typically August and September - so you'll want to check on that before starting out. of a national treasure. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. The climb up and west from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on. It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. Routes are non-existent and the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly. eagles, the largest raptor on Steens Mountain, can often be seen riding The famous notch in the east ridge of Kiger Gorge formed during a later glaciation when a small glacier in Mann Creek Canyon eroded through the ridge top. Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The gravel is generally good throughout the route. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. The South Steens Rim overlooking Alvord Lake has an average elevation exceeding 7000 feet over the length of 6 miles not broken by canyon or pass. From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. The drive offers an extraordinary landscape of volcanic uplifts, deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, and a rich diversity of plant and animal species. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Oregon Bikepacking About 8.5 miles up the road and its arrow-straight through here youre back off the highway again, and returning to true solitude for the 13 miles between highways. The north road to Steens Mountain summit opened June 11, which is unusually early, but the south portion of the loop is unlikely to be driveable until later this summer, if at all. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. (Great name). There are pit toilets at the South Steens campground if you need to make a bathroom stop. Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. The loop roads are in good condition. The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon. One notable exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of it. The Steens Mountain Loop Road is a designated Oregon State Scenic Tour Route. Visitors can also spend hours watching the amazing, breathtaking antics of raptors as they soar and dive in the high mountain wind currents. Elevation can change from less than 4,000 feet to over 9,000 feet in just a few miles. the updrafts in search of prey. Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. So, do you htink there is plenty to see on that loop into the mountains off from Frenchglen to keep us busy? you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur Borax Lake is a great place to see migratory birds in the spring and early summer.South Steens Rim: Three points along the Steens Escarpment have at least 1000 feet of prominence including this point directly west of Alvord Lake. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. --John Muir, Routes Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. This is the only place you can see the Borax Lake Chub, a fish that has evolved to survive in what is essentially a hot spring. Malheur Field Station: (541)549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers. Migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway use Harney County as a rest and refueling stop. The rest of the Steens Mountain Loop Road can accommodate passenger cars at lower speeds. Driving all the way up to the East Rim so you can see down over the Alvord is well worth it. the Alvord Desert in its shadow receives less than six inches. 28910 Hwy 20 West Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. At 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the "Big Nick" notch. Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Odds are good if you have sharp enough eyes (or binoculars) youll see elk on the canyon floor thousands of feet below and you might even spy the famous Kiger Mustangs, a legendarily beautiful band of wild horses that roam this remote part of the state. Making The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion. . Hines, OR 97730. This whole part of Southeast Oregon is like finding a secret very few know about. The Act designated the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area that will be collaboratively managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and a new Steens Mountain Advisory Council to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of the Steens Mountain for future and present generations. A land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness. your way to the summit, take note of evolving plant life. Thanks for any help/advice! LockA locked padlock Just shy of the rim is Kiger Gorge, a classic U-shape glacial valley about a half-mile/0.8 kilometers deep and home to a herd of wild mustangs. It is an amazingly wonderful, but seldom visited part of Oregon. in the lower, drier environs, giving way to dense stands of juniper, then Open year round.South Steens Campground: (541) 573-440021 campsites, 15 equestrian campsites, toilets, drinking water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 18 miles up the South Steens Loop Road. An official website of the United States government. KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. Bring our travel magazine along. This last half travels down the sidewall of Big Indian Gorge along a feature called the Roosters Comb offering some nice looks back towards the summit and gorgeous views of Big Indian Gorge, but much of the mountain can be seen and enjoyed without ever traveling this second half of the loop. A summitpost page exists for this mountain.Pike Canyon: The only developed trail on the east face of Steens Mountain can be found in Pike Canyon. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. What are the scenic backroads in Southeastern Oregon? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Check with local BLM authorities. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling are winter favorites. All campgrounds on Steens Mountain are open and in full service. Cattlemen, Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! On the advice of the BLM gal, we decided to see as much as we could and started at the south entrance heading north where we were able to view the MANY wild horses near a watering hole close to where we began the drive on the decent gravel roadway which, by the way, was fine for our car. Let someone at home know where you plan to go and when you plan to return. I highly recommend one extra stop on this loop, at the Steens Summit/Wildhorse Lake parking lot. Please be aware of: The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area contains a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. And it fit! Visitors photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. on the Steens. The campground was nice, quiet, and well-maintained (including the outhouses!). Frenchglen Hotel is located next door.Located on the south end of Frenchglen.Page Springs: (541)573-440036 Campsites along the Blitzen River with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 3 miles east of Frenchglen on the Steens Mountain Loop Road and open year round.Jackman Park: (541)573-44006 Campsites with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables.Located 19 miles east of Frenchglen on the Steens Mountain Loop Road near Fish Lake. When the hard work ends, youll be at the top of the road, at over 9,500 feet, looking back down on that desert you camped in, and the road you pedaled, far below. Is that title clickbaitish? Seeing it from the Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt. to travelthe50 miles out and back with ~5000ft. Itll make your jaw drop. The mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. Stayed at the Alvord Dessert Hot Springs and had a great time there and the views on top of the Steens Mountain are breath taking. The road departs the tiny, historic town of Frenchglen and climbs up Oregons eighth-tallest mountain on a tour of massive gorges, vast panoramas and one of the most spectacular lakes in the Pacific Northwest. Borax Lake on the Nature Conservancy Page, Old Steens Mountain Summitpost Page originally created by Mutant1, Unique locations along the Steens escarpment, Hiking, Mountaineering, Bouldering, Mixed, Scrambling. The loop road typically opens in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year. This information has been taken directly from the most recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Check with local BLM authorities. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. These glaciers dug trenches about one-half mile deep, through layers of hard basalt. High quality tires are a must for all vehicles, even when traveling on maintained routes. My pickup truck has a stiff suspension so it was almost unbearable. The road can be rough on the descent, with some washboarding, but its a small price to pay for seeing the land youre riding through. Ticks, Mosquitos, and Rattlesnakes may be present during summer months. Youre back on 205, and this time it looks like a causeway as it bisects two shallow lakes (water levels are quite seasonal; no guarantees on how much youll see here). The landscape to your west has been gradually taking up a higher spot on the horizon, and after you leave Mann Lake youll be below the main bulk of Steens, at the same time as you spill out into the Alvord Desert. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Alvord Hot Springs: Unquestionably the most popular of the Steens Mountain area hot springs. From there you will continue for about 22 miles to find yourself at Kiger Gorge Lookout. Reply Report inappropriate content 21 replies to this topic While spring and fall are your best bets, the mountain Loop Road is only open certain months of the year - typically August and September - so you'll want to check on that before starting out. While the upper Turning southeast here on the Steens Loop road you begin a gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the crest of Steens Mountain. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) consists of 428,156 acres of public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routesdriving off road is prohibited. You might hear a stray reference to The Steens and think its a mountain range, but theres really just the one and its huge one. Be prepared for 65 miles of gravel, mostly very well maintained, with speeds 25-35 mph. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. Scenery is stunning, especially dramatic Kiger Gorge Lookout, then East Rim Overlook, overlooking Alvord Desert and The loop is about 60 miles, ascends to 9600 feet, and should not be missed. It is an awesome place hot springs pond to enjoy. We stayed at South Steens campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. A 4x4 track can be found where Big Alvord Creek crosses the road at the Alvord Ranch. Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. The road also provides access to Steens Summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District campgrounds. We were thinking of staying the first night in at Frenchglen, then doing the inner loop and returning for the night to Frenchglen. Eventually youll make it to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, home to tens of thousands of birds who stop here on their long migratory voyages. With scenic landscape views and some of the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states, this place is amazing. (There is a collection of cell towers on top so it is easy to spot, as well as being marked by signs)There is a parking lot from which you ca Mann Lake can be found in the Steens Mountain Wilderness area. The road is not difficult at all. The Act is a culmination of a cooperative effort between Oregon's Congressional delegation, Oregon's Governor, and the Secretary of the Interior to forge legislation that will provide long-term protection to the cultural, economic, ecological, and social health of the Steens Mountain Area. Multiple streams running off of Steens Mountain's east face flow onto the Alvord Desert where you might find some accumulation in spring. Dont know how we could have backed up if we had met another car. The mountain was once known as a sacred place by Native Americans who lived on its slopes. The result was a 30-mile-long fault-block mountain with a spectacular and rugged east face that rises one vertical mile above the Alvord Desert. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. I think there would be plenty to see on both those loops if you are interested in the geology, geography, and history of the area. As you head north on this lonely road, youll find a new level of depth for the phrase wide-open spaces the horizon can seem might far away out here. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. About 8.5 miles up the road and its arrow-straight through here youre back off the highway again, and returning to true solitude for the 13 miles between highways. Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' You may notice as you pass the shore of Malheur Lake at The Narrows the land rising, gaining elevation almost imperceptibly until Frenchglen where the scrub and marsh lands give way to a dense juniper forest. We have a lot of ideas for you. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Follow along the loop to get back to your starting point. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. The payback for the many miles of climbing is the steep downhill back to Frenchglen. 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Steens Mountain rises up from the sagebrush desert to nearly 10,000 feet /3,048 meters. This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. A. The road can be rough on the descent, with some washboarding, but its a small price to pay for seeing the land youre riding through. You can find just about anything to suit your fancy here whether youre into glacier views of Mount Hood or exploring remote jeep roads and sleeping in the sagebrush. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. They combine web maps created using ArcGIS Online, ESRI's mapping system, with multimedia contenttext, photos, video, and audioto let you know about the rich diversity of Oregon/Washington BLM's programs and places. And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). Steens Mountain is located 60 miles south of Burns near Frenchglen and Page Springs Campground. Always start your trip with a full tank of fuel and call ahead for current information about fuel availability in the Steens Mountain area. Thanks for any help you can offer. Wood is not readily available, and the cutting down of trees should not be practiced at any cost, although its immediately apparent some of the aspens here have been cut down. Weather UV Index Daylight Saturday 27 / 11 F Sunday 19 / 3 F Monday Mountain Weather can be unpredictable and change suddenly. Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. A note: From here to Fields, its a long and typically hot stretch of riding just over 100 miles, so carry two days worth of water with you. Located at 4080 feet on the Alvord Desert Playa these springs are roughly nine miles north of the Andrews ghost town along the Fields-Denio road. If you do go bring your camera and binoculars. I tre fratelli, Walter, Frederick e Benjamin, fatto lungo il Piccolo Fiume Blitzen, e hanno cominciato ad allevare il bestiame. Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. The stunning geography of Steens is on display the entire way, with views over the Alvord Desert at the trailhead and a sweeping vista down the canyon below the lake. A series of much hotter pools can be found on the north slope of Borax Lake. Devine founded the Whitehorse Ranch in 1869, and later the Alvord Ranch. Deep in the southeast section of Oregon, the road is a spectacular gem in the high desert and provides sweeping views of the region, including Wildhorse Lake and Keigor Gorge. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. The South Steens Wild Horse Herd descended from mustangs If you time it right, you could view fulll moon rise from the top. Go big or go home . A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. 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