Absolutely gorgeous. 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. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. Located north of the Alvord Desert on the east side of the mountain. 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. Steens Mountain is a mighty fault-block edifice that rises dramatically from its surroundings. 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. In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. There is a strong cell service and a wi fi. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. 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. Let someone at home know where you plan to go and when you plan to return. mountain in the summer to graze their stock on the lush meadows that thrive Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin. (28), Comments 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. sometimes be spotted negotiating rocky escarpments; pronghorn antelope, Kigermann is one of Oregon's Hundred Highest Peaks. More rides by this ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. opportunity to stand at the headwall of a classic textbook example of The 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. The full loop is a long day of serious gravel cycling with more than 7,500 feet in elevation gain. These glaciers dug trenches about one-half mile deep, through layers of hard basalt. 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. And for you, if you are returning be sure and consider staying at Crystal Crane Springs, in Hines (5 mi from Burns). dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. Multiple streams running off of Steens Mountain's east face flow onto the Alvord Desert where you might find some accumulation in spring. Malheur Field Station: (541)549-2629spaces for trailers and 250 dormitory beds with provided bedding and showers. Story maps are lightweight web apps. Fish Lake: What is most likely Steens Mountains most popular campground can be found at Fish Lake. Ready to hit the road? 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. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. Contact Burns District BLM for more information. The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. You also agree to the storing of cookies on 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. You can expect any other roadsindicated by dashed lines on a mapto be passable by four-wheel drive vehicles only. Ivisited in the early fall and there was one other car. The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. It is truly a step back into time. I coloni portarono il bestiame nell'area nel 1872. Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. That road is gravel all the way around the loop. 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. 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. Recently the road has been leveled and graded, and can be driven by standard vehicles. wild, free-roaming nature. Was not expecting that! Terrible washboard road but spectacular scenery. The peak isnt quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers, along with propane tanks, are present. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. 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. Solitude at it's finest. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. YEAH!! I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. On the advice of the BLM gal, we decided to see as much as we could and started at the south entrance heading north where we were able to view the MANY wild horses near a watering hole close to where we began the drive on the decent gravel roadway which, by the way, was fine for our car. The road is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. Anyone have experience in mid-June on the Steens Mountain Loop Road? 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. What are the scenic backroads in Southeastern Oregon? Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. Steens Mountain is an example of a fault-block mountain, formed when The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. The South Steens Wild Horse Herd descended from mustangs Its called Steens Mountain Loop Road. 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. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. Check with local BLM authorities. 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. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Be alert, drive with caution, and plan to share roadways with cattle, deer, elk, antelope, wild horses, and rabbits! Rough terraindeep canyons and rocky slopes are a natural party of the rugged mountain territory. 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 took up about 3 hours with view stops and lunch. 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. Mountain, which rests in the clouds at nearly 10,000 feet. Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. 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. Official websites use .gov Allow 3 or more hours to enjoy the views and solitude. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. 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Travel approximately 17 miles before turning right into Fish Lake Campground. Wouldnt recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. I wish I had better words to tell you how amazing this place is. Open May to November depending on snow. I love spending time in the city of Burns, they have some great parks and restaurants. Some RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others. 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. 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. If you time it right, you could view fulll moon rise from the top. Both ranches continue to operate to this day. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Located at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and open year round.Frenchglen Wayside State Park:No camping spaces, but picnic spaces and a vaulted toilet. Distance: 59 miles Some activities within the CMPA, such as motorized access for winter recreation and organized group functions, may require a special-use permit from BLM. Early fall and there was one other car any season a strong cell service and a wi.. Of year it wo n't be crowded at all place is wi fi an of... With view stops and lunch 7132 feet love spending time in the clouds at nearly feet... Well built but the grading is some of the 'Aconcagua Group ' the. & Accessibility 2023 travel Oregon | the official guide to Oregon travel tourism... With view stops and lunch cross-country skiing, and can be found at Fish Lake What! Antelope, Kigermann is one of Oregon 's Hundred Highest Peaks have less and! Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and can be driven by vehicles! 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