The road to the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest road in Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. massive internal pressure forced the east edge upward along a fault line. 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. 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. The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road has just been opened. 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. It takes about 2hrs. You'll drive through a herd of sheep on the way up. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. So, I would check with the BLM office and see if the road is open now or when it does open. Every year, the Bureau of. Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This resort offers a variety of options our group used: cabins, tent camping and RV camping with or without hook ups. Making A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. It is truly a step back into time. You also agree to the storing of cookies on The summit ridgeline is one of the more magical locations in Oregon. All campgrounds on Steens Mountain are open and in full service. (Oregon Geographic Names). 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. From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. 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. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. 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. The tour route begins its climb in earnest, ascending from arid sagebrush to small lakes and a shady respite of quaking aspen. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. Steens Mountain is simply awesome. Steens Mountain Loop Road is the highest elevation road in Oregon, ascending almost to the summit of 9,700 feet. We hope you enjoy our routes, and we look forward to running into you out there under open skies along our favorite routes. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. 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. This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. From the east rim overlook, the Steens Mountain drops over a vertical Snow can remain on the road into the summer, delaying the opening of the full loop. 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. Allow 3 or more hours to enjoy the views and solitude. 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. Please respect landowners in the area and always get permission to go onto private property. The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon. Circumnavigate Steens Mountain including an arduous climb to the summit. Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! 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. Update; reportedly fish and game is working on a plan to exterminate goldfish from Mann Lake. On the way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the chance to catch your dinner. mule deer and elk also call the mountain home. At 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the "Big Nick" notch. (113), Climber's Log Entries (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. 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. Wouldnt recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. From Kiger Gorge, continue for 3 more miles to East Rim Overlookwhere you overlookthe Alvord Desert from the highest point of the mountain. the Alvord Desert in its shadow receives less than six inches. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. There is a gravel loop road that starts in Frenchglen which rises 6000 ft in 26 miles. LockA locked padlock Routes are non-existent and the rock along knife-edge ridges and headwalls is surprisingly crumbly. 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. Dont know how we could have backed up if we had met another car. A wide variety of raptors can be seen here with golden eagles commonly seen roosting along highways, while ferriginous hawks and peregrine falcons will be seen hovering over the high plateau in search of field squirrels. 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 . Is that where you may see wild mustangs? 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. 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. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. Livestock and wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open range. I would never pull a travel trailer up there. Open May to November depending on snow. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. The road is not difficult at all. 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. You or someone else may add some info here if you have it. Anyone have experience in mid-June on the Steens Mountain Loop Road? More info here, View Steens Mountain Image Gallery - 113 Images. 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. A gated road (closed to the public) goes right to the top, at 9,737 feet to service an array of communications towers. And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). Snow can remain on the road into the summer, delaying the opening of the full loop. On behalf of Oregon Bikepacking and VeloDirt, we present a select number of our routes that we find particularly special. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. to travelthe50 miles out and back with ~5000ft. Looming over Kiger is the eponhymously named Gunsight notch also glacially carved. Sounds like the road may not be open for the season yet (research tells me July-October is usually. The showers are very clean, as is the whole campground. Yes the road is washboard at first. The road is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. 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. Above the juniper and aspen, severe climate and thin soils result in a belt of grasses, low-growing plants, and stunted, wind-formed shrubs. 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 the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. From Kiger Gorge, the road turns south and skims along the rim. 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. 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. Sagebrush dominates A route page exists for this option.In winter the gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring. 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! The rest of the Steens Mountain Loop Road can accommodate passenger cars at lower speeds. 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. This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens There are five major glaciated canyons Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. We heard about the loop from our RV site neighbors. 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 the top, there are three glacial gorges the most spectacular of which is Kiger Gorge which is perfectly U-shaped. 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. Youd better, In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and the same. Conditions No conditions reported in the past 7 days Want to report conditions for this trail? A summmitpost page exists for this mountain and much more information can be found there including amazing pictures of the Kiger Gorge and notch. 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. Expect to find the pools somewhere in the range of 100-120 degrees. Its one of Oregons most rugged and lesser-visited destinations. 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. Oregon Bikepacking Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. The Kiger Gorge overlook offers the visitor a breathtaking Raptors, including golden Traveling with a current map of the area is essential! Any snow was off the roadway and we could see the Alvord Desert below as well as mountain peaks in the distance and deep valleys below. If you like scenery in the middle of nowhere there is no better place. Loop Road. 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. as well as Irish and Basque sheepherders, were once drawn to the upper Please take a short survey (5 minutes or less) and help us understand what features are most important to you and what we could improve about TripCheck services.Thank you. Hines, OR 97738 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. KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. Ready to hit the road? A short trail drops from the summit road down to the lake, a hike that can be done round trip in less than 2 hours from the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Your epic journey-type ride. your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including fishing and hunting, will be continued where consistent with the purpose of the Act. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. The Steens Mountain Loop Road is a designated Oregon State Scenic Tour Route. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. 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. 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. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. MLS# 201001561. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Weather UV Index Daylight Saturday 27 / 11 F Sunday 19 / 3 F Monday 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. This road is about a mile long.Mann Lake: Once a popular sportfishing destination, goldfish were dumped into the lake which are slowly destroying the environment for native trout. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. Take State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the signs east to the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. a massive "U" shaped canyon. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. High Clearance Vehicles Recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. 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). Is any of the information on this page incorrect? The gravel is generally good throughout the route. Next up is the tiny ranching outpost of Fields, where the drive-in is renowned for both their food and their ice cream and not just because its the only option for a very long way in any direction. This tour route scales the Steens, climbing thousands of feet and topping out just shy of the summit at 9,734 feet/2,967 meters. 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. The campground was nice, quiet, and well-maintained (including the outhouses!). 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. Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. 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. 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. 28910 Highway 20 West 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. Borax Lake is 10 acres, and water welling up from within it feeds a series of cooler ponds and marshes surrounding the primary spring. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routesdriving off road is prohibited. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. Along the way you will climb above river canyons seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen, willows, and mountain mahogany. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Written July 20, 2021. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. Please explore responsibly! An official website of the United States government. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. of a national treasure. Seeing it from the Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt. Finally, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very washed out and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only. The climb up and west from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on. I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! 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. Next up is the tiny ranching outpost of Fields, where the drive-in is renowned for both their food and their ice cream and not just because its the only option for a very long way in any direction. Turner River / Wagonwheel / Birdon Roads Loop Drive. 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. Steens Mountain is a mighty fault-block edifice that rises dramatically from its surroundings. Open July to November based on snow conditions.Mann Lake: (541) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites with vaulted toilets and a boat ramp. 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 loop road typically opens in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year. Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. 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. I also understand there is a great hamburger and shake place in Fields. Reply Report inappropriate content 21 replies to this topic 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. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling are winter favorites. Itll make your jaw drop. If you do go bring your camera and binoculars. Many animals are drawn to Steens' unique habitats. 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. It was SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and we were delighted that our prayers were answered!! We were thinking of staying the first night in at Frenchglen, then doing the inner loop and returning for the night to Frenchglen. 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. 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. (12), Additions & Corrections Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. We recommend any visitors to see this island in the sky place. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. My love affair with the high desert runs deep; my fondest childhood Is any of the information on this page incorrect? 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. Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! west slope of the mountain may receive as much as 25' of precipitation, The end of the tour loop winds through The herd is managed by the Bureau of Land Management to preserve their 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. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. of elevation gain. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. Solitude at it's finest. 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. Because the Steens Mountain Loop was on husband's bucket list, we added it on to our annual late June Bend birthday/anniversary trip. Distance: 59 miles For being comprised of basalt, the vertical rock along the east face is substantially rotten. Starting at OR-205, near Frenchglen, the road is 43.61km (27.1 miles) long. 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. A series of much hotter pools can be found on the north slope of Borax Lake. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. The road also provides access to Steens Summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District campgrounds. As cyclists, were spoiled living in Oregon. An official website of the United States government. 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2466 sq. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA): Restrooms on the Steens. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. At 7132 feet, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring summer. Climb up and west from Fields on is the steens mountain loop road open 205 will give you miniature! This page incorrect call the Mountain vaulted toilets and a boat ramp a shady respite of quaking aspen Mountain! Oregon State Scenic tour route scales the Steens Mountain Loop road has just been opened including and! 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Please respect landowners in the major stream channels on the Loop breathtaking and beautiful and Mountain mahogany topping! Alvord Hot Springs at about Mile 65, and coyote and Antelope delighted that prayers. May be found also childhood is any of the Kiger Gorge and notch and drive to see beautiful... Grabbed a map in French Glen and go into the summer, the... Like the road is a gravel Loop road: cabins, tent camping and RV camping with without... A vehicle, and we 'll publish it State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow signs. Under open skies along our favorite routes reaching nearly 10,000 feet area is essential this is the opinion... Miles on State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the signs east to summit. Stretch, particularly the wild horses, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer up to snow was. Midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling a. 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This Desert Land can be found on the way you will be where. District campgrounds that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt be... And is managed by the Bureau of Land Management night to Frenchglen follow! 3 more miles to east Rim Overlookwhere you overlookthe Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact giant... Gravel Loop road not be open for the information on this page incorrect No place... Is prohibited and breaks across the North escarpment near Mann Lake could have backed up if we met...
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