(Oregon Geographic Names). Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. From Burns follow State Route 205 south for about 60 miles to Frenchglen, which hosts a store, gas station, and post office in one building that is not always open; and a nice historic hotel (think bed and breakfast). 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. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The result was four immense U-shaped gorgesKiger, Little Blitzen, Big Indian, and Wildhorse. All campgrounds on Steens Mountain are open and in full service. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. The south. ecosystems from the valley floor to the mountain top. your way to the summit, take note of evolving plant life. Blustery, 100-degree days are common and snow can fall year-round. Snow can remain on the road into the summer, delaying the opening of the full loop. Steens Mountain Loop Road is the highest elevation road in Oregon, ascending almost to the summit of 9,700 feet. Steens Mountain was originally called Snow Mountain back in the 19th century.Devine Rock is named for John S. Devine, the first cattle baron to arrive into the Alvord Basin. Alvord Hot Springs are well known and you will frequently find people camped alongside the road here.Mickey Hot Springs: These undeveloped hot springs are usually too hot to bath or soak in, but do offer the opportunity for exploration of steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, and apparently bottomless pools of water. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' For example, the or learn to just turn around! The herd is managed by the Bureau of Land Management to preserve their Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! Yes the road is washboard at first. Also, the first ever Redband Trout Reserve has been created to improve stream health and fish habitat. The area is the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon and an iconic part of the Oregon's High Desert landscape. 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. Thanks for any help you can offer. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. One notable exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of it. of a national treasure. 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. A land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness. Sights that can be seen along the first part of the loop are Fish Lake, The Kiger Gorge, and the Steens Mountain Summit.In the past the south half of the loop road had not been passable unless in a vehicle with high clearance, and four wheel drive. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. From the east rim overlook, the Steens Mountain drops over a vertical Steens Mountain rises up from the sagebrush desert to nearly 10,000 feet /3,048 meters. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. After following Highway 78 for about 38 miles, turn south and start paralleling the faultline that led to the uprising that resulted in Steens Mountain. The Act also designates three new Wild and Scenic RiversWildhorse Creek, Little Wildhorse Creek, and Kiger Creekand adds two new segmentsAnkle Creek and Mud Creekto the existing Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River. 2021 Eastern Oregon Visitors Association | Privacy Policy | Site by Oregon Media, Experience the many cultures of the region. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. Bighorn sheep can Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including fishing and hunting, will be continued where consistent with the purpose of the Act. Remarkable Rocks 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. In summer driving the loop road offers quick access to the summit via a quarter mile hike up a maintenance road. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides easy access to the mountain's four campgrounds and the Kiger Gorge and East Rim scenic viewpoints. Steens Mountain (Frenchglen) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field) (BOI), Motels near Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field) (BOI), Tempeh Making and Cooking Authentic Balinese Dishes, Olden Shore Excursion: the Amazing Briksdal Glacier, Intimate Waimea Canyon Half Day Eco Fun Tour from South Kauai, Experience Santorini: Wine Tasting Small Group Tour, Sol Duc, Lake Crescent, and Hurricane Ridge Guided Tour in Olympic National Park, Etna - Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers, Full-Day Guided Tour of San Francisco with Alcatraz, 2-Day Tour: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea from Amman. 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. 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. Because the Steens Mountain Loop was on husband's bucket list, we added it on to our annual late June Bend birthday/anniversary trip. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS wild horse country. Contact Burns District BLM for more information. At the East Rim Viewpoint, peer off the precipice to the Alvord Desert 1 mile/1.6 kilometers below. However the lower Kiger Gorge and Wildhorse Canyon are inaccessible from the lowlands.In comparing the gentle western slopes to the dramatic east face, using either side as access requires completely different levels of skill. Phone: 541-573-4400, Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, Steens Mountain Wilderness Area Story Map Tour, Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000. I would never pull a travel trailer up there. 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. Other mountains get all the attention in Oregon: Mt. You'll drive through a herd of sheep on the way up. . When I was there in late May the Loop Road was still closed due to snow. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. Hines, OR 97738 The night sky there is amazing I forgot how the sky looked. We hope you enjoy our routes, and we look forward to running into you out there under open skies along our favorite routes. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur of a national treasure. If you like scenery in the middle of nowhere there is no better place. A. 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. 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. The road is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. Ready to hit the road? And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). Detailed in William Sullivan's 100 Hikes in Eastern Oregon book; the Pike Creek trail follows an old roadbed for a couple miles up to, and beyond frontier mining sites, beyond that it is a bit of a scramble along a lightly maintained trail to the headwall of Pike Creek. on the Steens. 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. 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. My pickup truck has a stiff suspension so it was almost unbearable. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. 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. While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. Wildhorse Lake, Riddle Brothers ranch, wild Kiger mustangs. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. Are reservations needed at campgrounds in the steen my area, and how far will I need to drive on gravel roads to get there? Travel approximately 17 miles before turning right into Fish Lake Campground. Thanks for any help/advice! The highest point on the mountain is a short walk on a rough (and gated) road that departs from the loop road coming up the west slopes. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. This is one of the few places you can drive across the escarpment, and the road passes alongside "The Stonehouse", a large blocky outcropping of Basalt.Alvord Desert: The driest location in Oregon with less than 10" of annual rainfall is the Alvord Desert, which is the largest of several alluvial plains along the Fields-Denio Highway. 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. The loop roads are in good condition. (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 CMPA encompasses an extraordinary landscape with deep glacier carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and a way of life for all who live there. While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. 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. Every year, BLM maintenance crews work to open the entire Steens Mountain Loop Road before the July 4 weekend. We have a lot of ideas for you. Distance: 59 miles more. Looming over Kiger is the eponhymously named Gunsight notch also glacially carved. Take State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the signs east to the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Official websites use .gov It offers a great view of the sunset and if you stay at night will offer the one best stargazing in all of the U.S. as Steens Mountain claims the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states. Your epic journey-type ride. 28910 Hwy 20 West Be alert, drive with caution, and plan to share roadways with cattle, deer, elk, antelope, wild horses, and rabbits! Oct 1, 2019 HI LetsRun! 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. 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. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. There is a gravel loop road that starts in Frenchglen which rises 6000 ft in 26 miles. 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. This 59-mile/95-kilometer loop includes the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin landmark. For some reason I heard it in my head in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Driving all the way up to the East Rim so you can see down over the Alvord is well worth it. Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. YEAH!! The summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out here - but the views are spectacular. A summmitpost page exists for this mountain and much more information can be found there including amazing pictures of the Kiger Gorge and notch. Conditions No conditions reported in the past 7 days Want to report conditions for this trail? Raptors, including golden Welcome to the CMPA and enjoy the many resources and activities awaiting you. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. (1), Images Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. Open July to November based on snow conditions.Fish Lake: (541) 573-440023 Campsites with toilets, water, garbage service, fire rings, picnic tables, and a boat ramp into the lake (no motorized boats permitted).Located at Fish Lake 17 miles east of Frenchglen. At the top, there are three glacial gorges the most spectacular of which is Kiger Gorge which is perfectly U-shaped. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Best access to the summit via the east face is in the region of Kigermann where ridges do not drop off so dramatically along their north and south faces. High Clearance Vehicles Recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. 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. 23 Campsites with picnic tables and fire grates; first come, first serve. Overlooking the mouth of Pike Creek Canyon is Pike Rock at 5808 feet, and at the head of Pike Creek is a series of spectacular basalt pinnacles and walls. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Every year, the Bureau of. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. A gated road (closed to the public) goes right to the top, at 9,737 feet to service an array of communications towers. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. 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. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. Long distances between servicesincluding gas stations, phones, and cell phone reception. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. 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