Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! Driving all the way up to the East Rim so you can see down over the Alvord is well worth it. opportunity to stand at the headwall of a classic textbook example of 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. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Visitors photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. If you time it right, you could view fulll moon rise from the top. Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. west slope of the mountain may receive as much as 25' of precipitation, These a great stops with exciting backroads. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Steens Mountain rises up from the sagebrush desert to nearly 10,000 feet /3,048 meters. 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. Other mountains get all the attention in Oregon: Mt. Southeast Oregon is a beautiful region with some great sightseeing opportunities. I highly recommend one extra stop on this loop, at the Steens Summit/Wildhorse Lake parking lot. 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. 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. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routesdriving off road is prohibited. Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. 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. At 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the "Big Nick" notch. The Steens loop roads past Fish Lake to the north, and Big Indian Gorge to the south, remain closed due to lingering snow. That road is gravel all the way around the loop. Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. (Great name). 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. Mann Lake is one of only a couple lakes along the eastside of Steens Mountain that does not dry up. 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. 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 peak isnt quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers, along with propane tanks, are present. Approximately 900,000 acres are designated off limits to mineral and geothermal extraction. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. Copyright 2023. Loop Road. Rough terraindeep canyons and rocky slopes are a natural party of the rugged mountain territory. Although located in the Southeast corner of Oregon hundreds of miles from any major cites, the mountain is very accessible given a tolerance for driving. It was SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and we were delighted that our prayers were answered!! Please explore responsibly! It is also home to a herd of the famous wild Kiger mustangs featured in the movie "Spirit." 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. Borax Lake: A treasure truly unique to Oregon is this 100+ degree pond hidden amidst the wastes of the southern Alvord Desert near Fields. 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? Located in the Great Basin, it is a 30 mile long fault block uplift mountain which reaches almost 10,000 ft at it's highest point. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Open Season Fish Lake Campground is open mid-June through October. The result was four immense U-shaped gorgesKiger, Little Blitzen, Big Indian, and Wildhorse. I decided to camp next to the lake (>200 ft. away of course), which holds water all year long. 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. Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. You also agree to the storing of cookies on Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. 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. Follow along the loop to get back to your starting point. A summmitpost page exists for this mountain and much more information can be found there including amazing pictures of the Kiger Gorge and notch. Glaciers once scoured down this mountain, scrubbing away softer sediments and creating distinct notches in the bedrock. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. 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. You'll drive through a herd of sheep on the way up. 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. 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. The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek for just such an excursion. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) consists of 428,156 acres of public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences. 28910 Highway 20 West All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. On October 30, 2000, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000, providing additional protection to approximately 900,000 acres of Federal land in southeastern Oregon, was signed into law. One exception however is the Roaring Springs along the Catlow Valley. By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each We hope you enjoy our routes, and we look forward to running into you out there under open skies along our favorite routes. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The climb up and west from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Check with local BLM authorities. Sounds like the road may not be open for the season yet (research tells me July-October is usually. Expect to find the pools somewhere in the range of 100-120 degrees. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. All Rights Reserved. Some of the graffiti scratched into the tree bark was made decades ago by Basque shepherds, many of whom first arrived in Oregon in the late 19th century and settled in the southeastern corner of the state. Ticks, Mosquitos, and Rattlesnakes may be present during summer months. Traveling with a current map of the area is essential! Livestock and wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open range. (Great name). 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. The area is not fenced, but it is up to you to be aware of where you are on the playa. Bighorn sheep can 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. 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. The full loop is a long day of serious gravel cycling with more than 7,500 feet in elevation gain. A land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness. you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. 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. Thanks for any help/advice! The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. was off the roadway and we could see the Alvord Desert below as well as mountain peaks in the distance and d A must do if ever in this part of Oregon! (Oregon Geographic Names). Wildhorse Lake, Riddle Brothers ranch, wild Kiger mustangs. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Borax Lake is 10 acres, and water welling up from within it feeds a series of cooler ponds and marshes surrounding the primary spring. point on a remarkable drive. eagles, the largest raptor on Steens Mountain, can often be seen riding mile to the Alvord Desert floor. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. This information has been taken directly from the most recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. Steens Mountain makes you feel like you are on top of the world. You can expect any other roadsindicated by dashed lines on a mapto be passable by four-wheel drive vehicles only. Mountain Weather can be unpredictable and change suddenly. The end of the tour loop winds through 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. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. 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