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. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. 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. 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). Thankfully we packed a lunch because it was much longer than I thought. It was SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and we were delighted that our prayers were answered!! Traveling with a current map of the area is essential! At the base of the mountain, where water is scarce, is a belt of sagebrush. Between the Coast and Cascade Ranges, the high desert of central Oregon, and the remote expanses of eastern Oregon, we have all the makings for top-notch gravel riding and bikepacking. I did not see any mustangs while there. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. The road to the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest road in Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet. Permits, Fees, Limitations 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. This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. Check with local BLM authorities. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. If you want one last hit of civilization before heading out into the wilderness, book a room here (you can also camp on the lawn) and enjoy a family-style meal or two. Ivisited in the early fall and there was one other car. This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! Hog Key on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but the middle of the key is closed. Here the road turns west, and when you reach The Narrows theres a store if youre feeling like something cold to drink and you probably will. Because the Steens Mountain Loop was on husband's bucket list, we added it on to our annual late June Bend birthday/anniversary trip. Surrounded by a healthy stand of willows and aspens, here a wide variety of wildlife can be found including beavers further down Lake Creek below the lake. The nearest higher peak is Eagle Peak, a distant 125 miles away to the west in California.The voyage to Steens Mountain begins by traveling south into the Great Basin from Burns, where you will pass by the verdant Malheur Wildlife Refuge. (Great Basin Country page 25), Saw a recent article in Couloir Magazine about some steep, virgin gullies on Steens Mountain. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. On a clear day, you can see beyond Oregon to Nevada, Idaho and California. That road is gravel all the way around the loop. Was not expecting that! 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. Summiting the mountain via its steep eastern face should not be taken lightly. The loop roads are in good condition. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. . Wouldnt recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. Please explore responsibly! The road is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different I tre fratelli, Walter, Frederick e Benjamin, fatto lungo il Piccolo Fiume Blitzen, e hanno cominciato ad allevare il bestiame. This 59-mile/95-kilometer loop includes the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin landmark. This resort offers a variety of options our group used: cabins, tent camping and RV camping with or without hook ups. A 4x4 track can be found where Big Alvord Creek crosses the road at the Alvord Ranch. The area is the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon and an iconic part of the Oregon's High Desert landscape. I'm planning a trip down there, and based on my work schedule, it's looking like mid-June is the time I'll have to go. Cattlemen, Long distances between servicesincluding gas stations, phones, and cell phone reception. Minimum Drive Time: 3-5 hours Burns District Office The Steens Mountain is the largest fault block mountain (whatever that is) in North America with a sweet gravel road that climbs straight up from Frenchglen to the top of the mountain (from bottom to top there is over 6000 feet of gain and . 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. ft. house located at 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, OR 97702 sold for $227,000 on Aug 10, 2010. The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. THnaks MOrgan, BLM campgrounds with drinking water and vault toilets are located at Page Springs, Fish Lake, Jackman Park, and South Steens. Terrible washboard conditions for miles, which is a shame since it's such a spectacular area once you get up top. 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. Itll make your jaw drop. 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. While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. Bring our travel magazine along. Youll once again cross the Donner und Blitzen River en route back to OR-205, the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway. 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. Starting at OR-205, near Frenchglen, the road is 43.61km (27.1 miles) long. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. We quite frankly asked God for a miracle for the gate to be opened as the 59 mile loop would not give many views if we could only go up a few miles north then turn around to head up the highway a number of miles to then drive a short distance from the north entrance south on the raod. "Society speaks and all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen." Fish Lake Campground, elevation 7,400 feet, and Jackman Park Campground, elevation 7,800 feet, will both be open and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Planning a road trip at the end of this month to the Steens and just wondering if there's a chance of the Steens Loop being open yet? The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. 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. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. 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. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. If you do go bring your camera and binoculars. A tilted mesa with an active fault on its steep, eastern side, this fault-block mountain has risen up in the past five to seven million years. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. 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. This whole part of Southeast Oregon is like finding a secret very few know about. 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. Rarely seen are the regions Bighorn Sheep. 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. Sightseeing in Kiger Gorge at Steens Mountain. 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. From Kiger Gorge, continue for 3 more miles to East Rim Overlookwhere you overlookthe Alvord Desert from the highest point of the mountain. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. 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. We have a lot of ideas for you. A route page exists for this option.In winter the gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring. It takes about 2hrs. Recently the road has been leveled and graded, and can be driven by standard vehicles. The owners are very nice it's a nice quiet facility but there is the 2.5 mile drive on a gravel road to get there I believe the price was $23 per night and they have a 30 amp and 50 amp connections. Remarkable Rocks This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. The end of the tour loop winds through 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. The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion. Steens Mountain, Frenchglen: Address, Steens Mountain Reviews: 5/5. Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including fishing and hunting, will be continued where consistent with the purpose of the Act. You can camp there and walk literally just a couple of minutes to both trailheads. Then traveling on to the south to Fields and up north past the Alvord Desert returning to Burns. LockA locked padlock I also understand there is a great hamburger and shake place in Fields. And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). The Steens Mountain Loop Road is now open to about 9,200 feet elevation, according to BLM road crews actively working in freezing temperatures and whiteout snow conditions. This massive fault block of basalt is the highest point south of the Three Sisters in Oregon, has 4373 feet of prominence, and is the highpoint of Harney County. I love spending time in the city of Burns, they have some great parks and restaurants. Please respect landowners in the area and always get permission to go onto private property. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. Take State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the signs east to the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Starting at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel make your way to Steens Mountain Loop and then onto Fishlake/Steens Mountain Rd. Turner River / Wagonwheel / Birdon Roads Loop Drive. 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. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. (113), Climber's Log Entries From Kiger Gorge, the road turns south and skims along the rim. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. You will find signs posted at the site stating that the water here is excessively hot and that there have been fatalities here in the past.Wildhorse Lake: The best known of Steens Mountain's glacially formed moraine lakes sits at the head of Wildhorse Canyon just beneath the summit. 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. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. 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). A scenic loop road (Steens Mountain National Back Country Byway) is found on the south end of town and provides easy access to the high country. point on a remarkable drive. Rough terraindeep canyons and rocky slopes are a natural party of the rugged mountain territory. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling are winter favorites. LockA locked padlock Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. This 17-mile drive takes you through open wet prairies and popular wading bird feeding areas. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. Let's keep in touch. 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). 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. the updrafts in search of prey. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. What are the scenic backroads in Southeastern Oregon? Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. Here the road turns west, and when you reach The Narrows theres a store if youre feeling like something cold to drink and you probably will. Theres a bunch of camping, backpacking, and opportunities to hike into the gorges of the landscape here. The While the upper A route exists to the summit and explained in detail in 75 Scrambles In Oregon. 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). And Steens is not the only wonder youll experience; theres also the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the aforementioned Alvord Desert, and the milkshakes in Fields. 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. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. More info here, View Steens Mountain Image Gallery - 113 Images. While much of the highlands are within hiking distance of the loop road and open to the public, some of the deep gorges are privately owned by large local ranches. 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. In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. 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. (28), Comments From Frenchglen, the first 5 miles/ 8 kilometers of the route along North Loop Road traverse the southern end of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Steens Mountain is simply awesome. Wouldn't recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. So, I would check with the BLM office and see if the road is open now or when it does open. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. 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. Steens Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Visitors photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. It is an awesome place hot springs pond to enjoy. 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. We spent well over 3 hours completing the entire drive. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. 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. Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. 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. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. . Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. the Alvord Desert in its shadow receives less than six inches. Weather UV Index Daylight Saturday 27 / 11 F Sunday 19 / 3 F Monday Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership. Check with local BLM authorities. 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 youll want to check on that before starting out. The Steens loop roads past Fish Lake to the north, and Big Indian Gorge to the south, remain closed due to lingering snow. Many animals are drawn to Steens' unique habitats. Thanks for any help you can offer. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. Bighorn sheep can The tour route begins its climb in earnest, ascending from arid sagebrush to small lakes and a shady respite of quaking aspen. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. 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. A series of much hotter pools can be found on the north slope of Borax Lake. Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. We heard about the loop from our RV site neighbors. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. Weather conditionsthe mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. policy linked to above. With scenic landscape views and some of the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states, this place is amazing. 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