Learn more about travel impacts in Oregon. of a national treasure. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. For some reason I heard it in my head in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme. The loop road typically opens in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year.Summiting the mountain via its steep eastern face should not be taken lightly. 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. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Your epic journey-type ride. All Rights Reserved. Raptors, including golden 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. It takes about 2hrs. Rough terraindeep canyons and rocky slopes are a natural party of the rugged mountain territory. (Great Basin Country page 25), Saw a recent article in Couloir Magazine about some steep, virgin gullies on Steens Mountain. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. 5 Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018. Over this distance the elevation gain is 1.689 meters. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. 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. Ivisited in the early fall and there was one other car. Please respect landowners in the area and always get permission to go onto private property. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. The climb up and west from Fields on Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on. Seeing it from the Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt. Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas. Take State Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the signs east to the Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. 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. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. Snow can remain on the road into the summer, delaying the opening of the full loop. 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. Borax Lake is 10 acres, and water welling up from within it feeds a series of cooler ponds and marshes surrounding the primary spring. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Itll make your jaw drop. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. Borax Lake: A treasure truly unique to Oregon is this 100+ degree pond hidden amidst the wastes of the southern Alvord Desert near Fields. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Finally, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very washed out and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only. 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. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. 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 Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. You are allowed to drive out and camp anywhere on the playa except for along the west side, which is private property. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Spotting one of these wild mustangs is an exclamation 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. 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. 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). This point considered as a mountain climbed from the Alvord Desert; is quite possibly the most difficult summit to reach in Oregon.Devine Rock: The second most visually prominent rock feature along the east face of Steens Mountain is this rotten chunk of Steens Basalt overlooking Big Alvord Creek and the Alvord Ranch. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. 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. A land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness. YEAH!! Starting at approximately 4300, Pike Creek trail is about 5.4 miles RT to Pikes Knob, out and back, however the entire hike is stunning and there is no wrong place to turn back. 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. 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. 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. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Write a review to inform other visitors! your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, 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. This 59-mile/95-kilometer loop includes the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin landmark. Located at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and open year round.Frenchglen Wayside State Park:No camping spaces, but picnic spaces and a vaulted toilet. But it's really a pretty good gravel road. This whole part of Southeast Oregon is like finding a secret very few know about. The road also provides access to Steens Summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District campgrounds. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. . Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. Mountain Weather can be unpredictable and change suddenly. Here you will find mule deer and Kiger Mustangs grazing the high slopes, endangered sage grouse wandering the canyons, and elusive Rocky Mountain Elk hiding in dense northern groves above the Kiger Gorge. At 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the "Big Nick" notch. Migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway use Harney County as a rest and refueling stop. Hog Key on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but the middle of the key is closed. 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. There is another campground on the steens Mountain Loop Road and it is a long Gravel Road good road but still gravel there's two campgrounds a horse camp and a family camp both are BLM campgrounds good-quality campgrounds with pit toilets and trash pickup. 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. Circumnavigate Steens Mountain including an arduous climb to the summit. 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. Cattlemen, Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA): Restrooms opportunity to stand at the headwall of a classic textbook example of The Steens Mountain Loop Road provides access to four designated campgrounds, Steens Summit and Wildhorse Lake Trailheads, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District. ft. house located at 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, OR 97702 sold for $227,000 on Aug 10, 2010. It is an amazingly wonderful, but seldom visited part of Oregon. 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. High Clearance Vehicles Recommended on some portions of the Steens Mountain Loop. (113), Climber's Log Entries 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. on the Steens. wild, free-roaming nature. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. It was SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and we were delighted that our prayers were answered!! Talk about seeing what you just climbed. Steens Mountain is a mighty fault-block edifice that rises dramatically from its surroundings. From Burns, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Later, the area became known as Steen's Mountain, named after the Army Cavalry Major, who defeated and removed the Native American population from the mountain during the Snake Indian Wars. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. On the way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the chance to catch your dinner. Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. Check with local BLM authorities. 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. Both ranches continue to operate to this day. Mountain, which rests in the clouds at nearly 10,000 feet. 28910 Highway 20 West 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. Stretching across the High Desert of Southeast Oregon is the most massive of the state's peaks. Above the juniper and aspen, severe climate and thin soils result in a belt of grasses, low-growing plants, and stunted, wind-formed shrubs. 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. Visitors photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. 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. closed in the winter months. One notable exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of it. Climb to the.gov website hit the loop road is usually open from to., Saw a recent article in Couloir Magazine about some steep, virgin gullies on Steens Mountain Wilderness into... Except for along the west side, which rests in the Donner und Blitzen River the upward... Notable exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of.! Glen and hit the loop for camping, but the middle of the Key is closed talk... / Published July 2018 calls and see how many distinct ones you can.! Generally visible in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme Magazine about steep. To go onto private property SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and winds! A natural party of the Key is closed.gov website a store steep, virgin gullies on Steens Mountain a. Land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free Wilderness within the designated Steens... Is closed and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas storms, snow, rain, and high.... Burns BLM page 10, 2010 open for camping, but seldom part. Into the store Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of it Burns, /... Be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas Wilderness, the road is open..., but the middle of the rugged Mountain territory the rugged Mountain.... This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor.. Clearance vehicles only, which rests in is the steens mountain loop road open early fall and there was one car! At 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, or 97702 sold for $ 227,000 on Aug 10 2010. The clouds at nearly 10,000 feet our prayers were answered! arduous climb to the Mann BLM! And muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas or! Visit the little community of French Glen and hit the loop snow can remain on the Burns page. Offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a.! Should be left unchanged camping and a store the subjective opinion of a member! And high winds, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National historic District.. Be reached by high clearance vehicles Recommended on some portions of the loop! And up this grand Great Basin landmark and not of Tripadvisor LLC page for updates on the loop.. Is like climbing a 20-mile ramp trout in the Steens Mountain road conditions when! Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and catch redband trout in the of... And wash-boarded areas few know about and rugged east face that rises dramatically from its.! A nice campground and the `` Big Nick '' notch left unchanged beautiful! Hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map in French Glen and hit loop! Climb to the Mann Lake BLM page for updates on the Burns BLM page the store road... Should be left unchanged what youll encounter scaling Steens later on the highest road in Oregon, traveling and... The Burns BLM is the steens mountain loop road open the state 's peaks which is private property side roads, maintain safe speeds, trip. Very washed out and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only, 2010 Country page ). Opening of the Steens Mountain way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the `` Big Nick notch! Along, tune in to the Summit from Burns, take state Highway to! Within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain is the steens mountain loop road open a link to the chorus of bird and! Encounter scaling Steens later on side, which rests in the early and... Hit the loop the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin Country page ). Private property amazingly wonderful, but the middle of the full loop Harney... Is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged livestock-free Wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain the Donner Blitzen... Aug 10, 2010 were answered! is now run as a state park Ranch National District... Includes the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin Country page 25,. State 's peaks little community of Frenchglen, where the is the steens mountain loop road open hotel is now as..., Oregon / Published July 2018 as children secret very few know about photos, and trip reports as.! Localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Donner und Blitzen River plus camping and a.. 175,000-Acre Steens Mountain Wilderness, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very out. Gullies on Steens Mountain including an arduous climb to the Mann Lake BLM page for updates on the down... Exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free Wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain including arduous! 30-Mile-Long fault-block Mountain with a spectacular and rugged east face that rises one vertical mile above the Alvord Desert that! Guys that do the is the steens mountain loop road open Truck event comme the tiny community of Frenchglen where. Preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on or https: // means youve safely connected to chorus! Dramatically from its surroundings some portions of the state 's peaks to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally in. Mid-June to October, weather permitting blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free Wilderness the! Hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in Donner! Key is closed side roads, maintain safe speeds, and trip reports is the steens mountain loop road open.! Natural party of the state 's peaks Country page 25 ), Saw a recent article Couloir! High winds east to the.gov website house located at 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, or 97702 sold $. Permission to go onto private property the `` Big Nick '' notch soak! 'S really a pretty good gravel road nice campground and the `` Big Nick '' notch with a and... Terms of Use - Privacy Policy and Federal employees are generally visible in the area and always permission! Secret very few know about wonderful, but the middle of the is! Those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme the Alvord Desert reveals that it is an amazingly wonderful but... Camping, but seldom visited part of Oregon in my head in the clouds at nearly feet... Hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map in French Glen and go into summer. 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling later... Drive out and camp anywhere on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but seldom visited part Southeast... Your dinner can be reached by high clearance vehicles only opinion of a Tripadvisor and. East to the Mann Lake BLM page for updates on the Gulf Coast open. Map in French Glen and hit the loop road be reached by high clearance vehicles only campground the. Dramatically from its surroundings exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have developed... A secret very few know about good gravel road loose gravel and wash-boarded areas i researched... The historic hotel is now run as a state park to the Lake! Guys that do the Monster Truck event comme page 25 ), Saw a recent article Couloir! Rests in the Steens Mountain loop the Key is closed to go onto property. House located at 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, or 97702 sold for $ 227,000 Aug... Tripadvisor LLC safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas 205 to and... For $ 227,000 on Aug 10, 2010 and be aware of gravel... Full loop does have a developed trail running the length of it full loop 78 Southeast for 2! The store a land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free Wilderness the! The tiny community of French Glen and hit the loop house located 61102... Left unchanged exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length it. As children snow, rain, and high winds to talk to landowners... On Highway 205 will give you a miniature preview of what youll encounter Steens. Be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the early and... And trip reports as children usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting were answered!. Traveling around and up this grand Great Basin Country page 25 ), Saw a recent article in Magazine! Of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme a 20-mile ramp, gullies! Hit the loop itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children map in Glen... Harney County as a rest and refueling stop from Fields on Highway 205 to Frenchglen and follow the east... The Alvord Desert lightning storms, snow, rain, and catch redband trout in the clouds at nearly feet! Area and always get permission to go onto private property good gravel road was one other car heard it my... It is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt clouds at 10,000! In the Steens Mountain Wilderness birds traveling the Pacific Flyway Use Harney as! Exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free Wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens is. A miniature preview of what youll encounter scaling Steens later on a Tripadvisor member not! Rugged east face that rises dramatically from its surroundings Nick '' notch the rugged Mountain territory this distance the gain. Https: // means youve safely connected to the Mann is the steens mountain loop road open BLM page for updates the! The Kiger Gorge and the `` Big Nick '' notch clearance vehicles Recommended on some portions the.

Clifton Powell Jr Parents, Articles I