The night sky there is amazing I forgot how the sky looked. Talk about seeing what you just climbed. Routes are non-existent and the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly. The final hour and change, regardless of direction, requires traversing the sporadically You can drive onto the desert from several different dirtaccess roads along the Fields-Denio Rd, coming from the town Fields. The loop roads are in good condition. Distance: 59 miles The mountain was once known as a sacred place by Native Americans who lived on its slopes. 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. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. Look for a dirt road with a cattle guard on the west side of the road, about 1.9 miles nort Alvord Hot Springs at the base of Steens Mountain deep in the heart of the eastern Oregon Wilderness is a hidden gem, known mostly to climbing enthusiasts and the ambitious adventurer willing to drive the nearly 4 hours from Boise, Bend, or 2.5 hours from the nearest town of any size, Winnemucca in Nevada. Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. Yes, the loop drive of Steens Mountain will be 50+ miles of washboard gravel road, but the scenery is unlike almost anything you will ever see. So head north out of Frenchglen up Highway 205 to get warmed up; after almost 18 miles of pavement, veer off the highway toward Diamond (even smaller than Frenchglen, but another great historic hotel/restaurant) and then onto the first stretch of the many, many miles of unpaved road youll experience. Escape to the hot springs of southeastern Oregon for a rejuvenating soak among natural marvels. And it fit! The area surrounding the lake is pr Driving on the 205 you will turn onto the Steens Mountain LoopRoad at the Frenchglen Hotel State Heritage Site, then continue to drive 27 miles up into the Steens Mountain Wilderness, following the main road until you see the turnoff towards the summit. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). The east face of the fault scarp drops immediately over one vertical mile to the Alvord Desert and in places would require true mountaineering ability to climb. Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. A true desert isnt something you come across too often, but this expanse thats more akin to the Bonneville Salt Flats than the Gobi or Sahara, is one very large piece of flatness. Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. mule deer and elk also call the mountain home. Minimum Drive Time: 3-5 hours Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Getting lostthe remote nature and vast landscape of the Steens Mountain area may leave even the most experienced traveler directionally confused or just plain lost. Check out a nearby All-Access Preview trail guide: Steens Mountain Loop includes the highest road in Oregon and is one of Oregon's extraordinary scenic and geologic wonders. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Also I stayed 3 nights at the steens mountain resort which is an RV park with complete hookups some trees and grass bathrooms and a dump station for your RV. We recommend any visitors to see this island in the sky place. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. But it's really a pretty good gravel road. Raptors, including golden It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. (Great name). A route exists to the summit and explained in detail in 75 Scrambles In Oregon. I'm a big fan of Oregons wide-open spaces, especially east of the Cascade Mountains- where the distances are great and thepeople are few. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. Steens Mountain is one of Oregon's great scenic and geologic wonders, a 30-mile/48.2-kilometer fault block that is a small mountain range rather than a single peak. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. The Kiger Gorge overlook offers the visitor a breathtaking in the lower, drier environs, giving way to dense stands of juniper, then Steens Mountain Loop includes the highest road in Oregon and is one of Oregon's extraordinary scenic and geologic wonders. Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Farther up, increased moisture creates ideal conditions for a dense belt of juniper. When I was there in late May the Loop Road was still closed due to snow. The end of the tour loop winds through Bighorn sheep can Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places such as Riddle Brothers Ranch, the Kiger Wild Horse Viewing Area, and the nearby historic P-Ranch. Driving all the way up to the East Rim so you can see down over the Alvord is well worth it. I did see some wild horses on the drive. From Baker Pass in the north to Long Hollow in the south, The Steens as a mountain range is nearly 60 miles long and 18 miles across. If not for the road beating I'd rate it a 5.0 The weather up there can be quite a bit different than down at Frenchglen so prepare for possible wind and cold. Permits, Fees, Limitations Heres an idea of the scale: At the top of the mountains loop road, youre standing at nearly 10,000 feet, looking down at the Alvord Desert, almost exactly vertically below you at around 4,000 feet. The Steens Mountain Loop Road provides access to four designated campgrounds, Steens Summit and Wildhorse Lake Trailheads, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. "Society speaks and all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen." And once you turn right onto the Loop Road (Mile 220), your world starts turning upward the first climb gains about 1,000 feet over 7 miles. We heard about the loop from our RV site neighbors. But the point is that Steens can be skiied, and skiied with gusto if you are up to it (50 degree couloirs currently elude me). (28), Comments 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Mann Lake is one of only a couple lakes along the eastside of Steens Mountain that does not dry up. 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. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. My pickup truck has a stiff suspension so it was almost unbearable. The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. A true desert isnt something you come across too often, but this expanse thats more akin to the Bonneville Salt Flats than the Gobi or Sahara, is one very large piece of flatness. As you crest and start downhill, take the time to stop for Kiger Gorge, perhaps the most magnificent of the glacial gorges carved into this 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. Youll come away with an up-close-and-personal appreciation for the scale of this geologic goliath, with its glacier-carved valleys, aspen groves, pure-water lakes and views to forever. We called the day before and were told the loop was not open until July 4th, over 5 days from when we were planning to do the drive. The average gradient is 3.87%. 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. 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. As you leave the junipers, you will be surrounded by large expanses of Mountain big sagebrush. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) consists of 428,156 acres of public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences. Are reservations needed at campgrounds in the steen my area, and how far will I need to drive on gravel roads to get there? The Steens Mountain Loop Road is a designated Oregon State Scenic Tour Route. You can ride this loop in either direction, but for the sake of this description lets assume you want to save the most stupendous views for later in the trip. Absolutely gorgeous. At 7782 feet Devine Rock is one of the more difficult summits in Southeast Oregon as it's protected by cliff bands on all faces. My dad and I drove this loop earlier this summer and I was shocked that Steens isn't considered one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. I would never pull a travel trailer up there. The Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. To avoid any potential issues, it's best to camp on the south, e Take in the View from Steens Mountain Summit, Hike Pike Creek Trail in the Steens Mountains. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. This information has been taken directly from the most recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Taken as a mountain with a nine thousand foot crest, the peak runs over eight miles from north to south. Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. 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. All campgrounds on Steens Mountain are open and in full service. 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. The summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out here - but the views are spectacular. The tour route begins its climb in earnest, ascending from arid sagebrush to small lakes and a shady respite of quaking aspen. 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. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. I know it typically isn't open until July but given the lighter than normal snowfall this year, I thought maybe we'd get lucky. Its called Steens Mountain Loop Road. Located north of the Alvord Desert on the east side of the mountain. Oregon Bikepacking Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. From a parking area just below the summit of Steens Mountain, this 2.5-mile hike (1.25 each way) descends 1200 feet into a cirque at the head of Wildhorse Canyon to the shores of Wildhorse Lake. From the east rim overlook, the Steens Mountain drops over a vertical 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. I coloni portarono il bestiame nell'area nel 1872. massive internal pressure forced the east edge upward along a fault line. The road is easy to drive most of the year, but due to the elevation, snow lingers in the spring and comes early in the fall, which can make driving . 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. That depends on which campgrounds you use but for the most part yes there is a gravel roads to most campgrounds the one I stayed at was Steens Mountain Resort and it was a two and a half mile drive on a gravel road that is a little washboard. Limited water sourcescarry enough water and food to last your entire trip, and do not drink from untested water sources. The campground was nice, quiet, and well-maintained (including the outhouses!). While the upper Burns District Office of Bureau of Land Management (541-573-4400), Burns BLM PageMalheur National Wildlife RefugeBorax Lake on the Nature Conservancy PageSteens Mountain CanyonsOld Steens Mountain Summitpost Page originally created by Mutant1, Steens Mountain is named for Eunoch Steen an Army Major who led campaigns against the Northern Paiutes on the mountain. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Anyone have experience in mid-June on the Steens Mountain Loop Road? Rarely seen are the regions Bighorn Sheep. The peak was renamed in 1860 for United States Army Major Enoch Steen, who fought and drove members of the Paiute tribe off the mountain.Pic: Jared McCullough. We spent well over 3 hours completing the entire drive. Some activities within the CMPA, such as motorized access for winter recreation and organized group functions, may require a special-use permit from BLM. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds and the views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to be missed! At this point, the dramatic 2000 foot drop from High Desert into a lush river canyon reveals that somewhere along the last 20 miles you gained several thousand feet of elevation. The Steens Loop Tour Route This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens Mountain, which rests in the clouds at nearly 10,000 feet. quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. At nearly 10,000ft in elevation and not being well known, the Steens will make you to feel like youre in a truly remote place. Steens These animals navigate the rough eastern face of Steens Mountain high above the Alvord Desert. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. 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. Many animals are drawn to Steens' unique habitats. 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. Point 8844: Located 1 mile east of the summit; on topographic maps this is marked as a nameless elevation, at 8844 feet. eagles, the largest raptor on Steens Mountain, can often be seen riding Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. Over 12 miles, youll climb about 4,400 feet but the scenery will distract you, as you ascend the ridge between the Little Blitzen and Indian gorges; make sure to stop for every viewpoint along here. Spotting one of these wild mustangs is an exclamation Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. I debated how to write it. We recommend high clearance or 4x4 vehicles for primitive roads, including the steep and rocky portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road near South Steens Campground. Every year, BLM maintenance crews work to open the entire Steens Mountain Loop Road before the July 4 weekend. It'd been years since we'd visited Steens and best of all, nothing has changed. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different The result was four immense U-shaped gorgesKiger, Little Blitzen, Big Indian, and Wildhorse. Ivisited in the early fall and there was one other car. This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. Are open and in full service Crane to Fields site neighbors itself is adorned cell. For recreation on Steens Mountain Loop Road was still closed due to snow surrounded. 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