Snow can remain on the road into the summer, delaying the opening of the full loop. The mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. Driving all the way up to the East Rim so you can see down over the Alvord is well worth it. The Kiger Gorge overlook offers the visitor a breathtaking Check with local BLM authorities. your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. During the Ice Age, glaciers formed in the major stream channels on the mountain. Quality well kept Renaissance home on the south east side of Bend. 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. I debated how to write it. We heard about the loop from our RV site neighbors. Malheur Field Station: (541)549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers. Bring our travel magazine along. Its called Steens Mountain Loop Road. We want your experiences too! KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. Your safety and enjoyment are important. The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. 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. We stayed at South Steens campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails. Reply Report inappropriate content 21 replies to this topic While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. (1), Images It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. 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. 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. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. Approximately 900,000 acres are designated off limits to mineral and geothermal extraction. You also agree to the storing of cookies on LockA locked padlock A 4x4 track can be found where Big Alvord Creek crosses the road at the Alvord Ranch. It is truly a step back into time. I would never pull a travel trailer up there. With scenic landscape views and some of the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states, this place is amazing. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Devine founded the Whitehorse Ranch in 1869, and later the Alvord Ranch. . Recently the road has been leveled and graded, and can be driven by standard vehicles. It seems like most people dont know about Steens Mountain, and fewer have been. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. A route page exists for this option.In winter the gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring. Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership. At nearly 10,000ft in elevation and not being well known, the Steens will make you to feel like youre in a truly remote place. Journey 27 miles through dwarf cypress forest, pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and some of the most photographed landscape in the Preserve. This 17-mile drive takes you through open wet prairies and popular wading bird feeding areas. At the East Rim Viewpoint, peer off the precipice to the Alvord Desert 1 mile/1.6 kilometers below. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Sounds like the road may not be open for the season yet (research tells me July-October is usually. Carl Axelsen, member since 1999 Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. Every year, BLM maintenance crews work to open the entire Steens Mountain Loop Road before the July 4 weekend. More rides by this ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. It is an awesome place hot springs pond to enjoy. 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. Its said to bethe highest road of Oregon. 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. 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. Migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway use Harney County as a rest and refueling stop. wild, free-roaming nature. The campground was nice, quiet, and well-maintained (including the outhouses!). Both ranches continue to operate to this day. The Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. The road to the summit is steep. I also understand there is a great hamburger and shake place in Fields. (Oregon Geographic Names). Oregon Bikepacking (28), Comments 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. Be alert, drive with caution, and plan to share roadways with cattle, deer, elk, antelope, wild horses, and rabbits! Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. 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. I cannot find the link online (keep checking the webpage) and I forget the issue. At the base of the mountain, where water is scarce, is a belt of sagebrush. This land, at the top of the Steens Mountain, is the most sensitive to disturbance and will be managed to safeguard the pristine environment. Permits, Fees, Limitations 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. quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. 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? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. 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. A land exchange provision blocks up nearly 100,000 acres of livestock-free wilderness within the designated 175,000-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. There are pit toilets at the South Steens campground if you need to make a bathroom stop. 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 grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. The average gradient is 3.87%. 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. We recommend any visitors to see this island in the sky place. enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. Stonehouse BM is 7220 feet in elevation and offers a nice view of the North Steens and Sheepshead Mountains. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. 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. 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. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. Escape to the hot springs of southeastern Oregon for a rejuvenating soak among natural marvels. 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Download a detailed guide (PDF). Then turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen. 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). Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. Many hikers opt to summit Steens Mountain via Big Indian Gorge which has a developed trail running the length of it. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. Be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. 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. 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 is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. 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. (12), Additions & Corrections For the full loop, an early start is recommended, and for us, that meant sharing the road with surprised deer. 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. 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. Learn more about travel impacts in Oregon. 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. Is any of the information on this page incorrect? 5 Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018. 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. 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. Talk about seeing what you just climbed. The night sky there is amazing I forgot how the sky looked. From the top, the view is east to the Alvord Desert; to the south on the mountain is Wildhorse lake, accessible by a steep climb down/up. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. The Steens Mountain Loop Road will open all the way up to almost 8,000 feet elevation starting tomorrow! You or someone else may add some info here if you have it. 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. 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. Itll make your jaw drop. 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. 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. Steens Mountain Loop includes the highest road in Oregon and is one of Oregon's extraordinary scenic and geologic wonders. there. Let's keep in touch. Borax Lake: A treasure truly unique to Oregon is this 100+ degree pond hidden amidst the wastes of the southern Alvord Desert near Fields. Go big or go home . 28910 Highway 20 West --John Muir, Routes 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. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. of a national treasure. Other mountains get all the attention in Oregon: Mt. From the trailhead at the end of the road, the summit is just a short hike. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. 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. The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road has just been opened. Abundant water and feed attracts Bighorns and some of the most epic Mule Deer you will ever see, and all from the highway near this rare desert oasis.Much of the mountain is within BLM land and open to the public with some areas more accessible than others. Trail Overview. 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. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. Oct 1, 2019 HI LetsRun! 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. Kigermann is one of Oregon's Hundred Highest Peaks. Also I stayed 3 nights at the steens mountain resort which is an RV park with complete hookups some trees and grass bathrooms and a dump station for your RV. 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. Ready to hit the road? Blustery, 100-degree days are common and snow can fall year-round. A gated road (closed to the public) goes right to the top, at 9,737 feet to service an array of communications towers. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Best Time to Visit: July through October, the road is Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Get access to thousands of Trails Offroad Trail Guides with. 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 . 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. Blustery, 100-degree days are common and snow can fall year-round. The showers are very clean, as is the whole campground. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. I think there would be plenty to see on both those loops if you are interested in the geology, geography, and history of the area. We welcome your visit and have information to help you. To the east, the 5000 foot dropoff into the bleak Alvord Desert, to the west the many deep glacial river valleys, to the south the Pueblo Mountains, and along the northern horizon is the Strawberry Mountains. I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. 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. 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. Wouldn't recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. closed in the winter months. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. The road to the summit opens every June, and its gates remain unlocked until October or whenever snowfall makes passage unsafe. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. The herd is managed by the Bureau of Land Management to preserve their Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. Its bumpy in places, but much of the surface has been upgraded and improved in recent years, except for one short, narrow, steep section of the road near the viewpoints of Big Indian and Little Blitzen gorges. 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. you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Ready to hit the road? Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Several different herds of wild horses also exist in the area and livestock may be seen on both public and private land. An official website of the United States government. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. A series of much hotter pools can be found on the north slope of Borax Lake. . 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. 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. 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. Be doing more exploring is a belt of sagebrush wildlife and take in the major stream on... We assume No liability for decisions made as a state park photographed landscape in the major stream on. 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