Youll once again cross the Donner und Blitzen River en route back to OR-205, the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. 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. 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. 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. Turning southeast here on the Steens Loop road you begin a gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the crest of Steens Mountain. 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. you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur There is a gravel loop road that starts in Frenchglen which rises 6000 ft in 26 miles. The mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. It was SO worth the time and drive to see this beautiful area, and we were delighted that our prayers were answered!! The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. They combine web maps created using ArcGIS Online, ESRI's mapping system, with multimedia contenttext, photos, video, and audioto let you know about the rich diversity of Oregon/Washington BLM's programs and places. Let's keep in touch. Alvord Peak: Overlooking Fields is this mountain at 7132 feet. This 17-mile drive takes you through open wet prairies and popular wading bird feeding areas. 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. If you do go bring your camera and binoculars. Written July 20, 2021. 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. Journey 27 miles through dwarf cypress forest, pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and some of the most photographed landscape in the Preserve. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. Every year, the Bureau of. Anyone have experience in mid-June on the Steens Mountain Loop Road? Weather conditionsthe mountains high elevation can cause rapid temperature changes. 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. Blustery, 100-degree days are common and snow can fall year-round. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. Heres an idea of the scale: At the top of the mountains loop road, youre standing at nearly 10,000 feet, looking down at the Alvord Desert, almost exactly vertically below you at around 4,000 feet. Carl Axelsen, member since 1999 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. 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. 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. From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. 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. Oregon Department of Transportation. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! That road is gravel all the way around the loop. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS I would never pull a travel trailer up there. Also, the first ever Redband Trout Reserve has been created to improve stream health and fish habitat. Sixty-six miles in length, the first half of the loop is gravel with some washboarding and general roughness; but its usually passable in a low clearance vehicle from July until September, or even into November if snow comes late in the year. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. wild, free-roaming nature. The Steens loop roads past Fish Lake to the north, and Big Indian Gorge to the south, remain closed due to lingering snow. Multiple streams running off of Steens Mountain's east face flow onto the Alvord Desert where you might find some accumulation in spring. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. One exception however is the Roaring Springs along the Catlow Valley. 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. Wouldnt recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. 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. Burns District Office We recommend any visitors to see this island in the sky place. This loop drive of 58 miles is gravel with a washboard surface that is totally awesome. Thankfully we packed a lunch because it was much longer than I thought. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin. Livestock and wildlife on roadwaysmuch of southeast Oregon is open range. 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. there. I debated how to write it. Minimum Drive Time: 3-5 hours Open Season Fish Lake Campground is open mid-June through October. more. Nearby Page Springs Campground sits alongside the Donner und Blitzen River (German for thunder and lightning). Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. 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. Stonehouse BM is 7220 feet in elevation and offers a nice view of the North Steens and Sheepshead Mountains. 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. Several private outfitters and guides offer opportunities for personalized tours or other activities. Above the juniper and aspen, severe climate and thin soils result in a belt of grasses, low-growing plants, and stunted, wind-formed shrubs. Let's keep in touch. 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 . LockA locked padlock In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. (12), Additions & Corrections Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. 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. Its a rustic resort that offers several ways to soak in a hot pool, plus camping and a store. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. Circumnavigate Steens Mountain including an arduous climb to the summit. 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. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, particularly the wild horses that roam these wild lands. Along the way, Solitude at it's finest. It took up about 3 hours with view stops and lunch. Steens Mountain is an example of a fault-block mountain, formed when You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. The area is the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon and an iconic part of the Oregon's High Desert landscape. Oregon Bikepacking Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. Fish Lake Campground, elevation 7,400 feet, and Jackman Park Campground, elevation 7,800 feet, will both be open and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 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. 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. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. Oct 1, 2019 HI LetsRun! Is that title clickbaitish? 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. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. 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. Some RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others. 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. Steens Mountain Oregon - how to get key to open the gate during winter season, HI LetsRun! Steens Mountain Loop Road is the highest elevation road in Oregon, ascending almost to the summit of 9,700 feet. Elevation can change from less than 4,000 feet to over 9,000 feet in just a few miles. Ivisited in the early fall and there was one other car. A summitpost page exists for this mountain.Pike Canyon: The only developed trail on the east face of Steens Mountain can be found in Pike Canyon. The road to the summit opens every June, and its gates remain unlocked until October or whenever snowfall makes passage unsafe. This sub-alpine area is home to hundreds of wildflower species, including the Steens Mountain paintbrush, which exists in no other place in the world. I can recommend a few Scenic Byways, September 21, 2011 (Updated September 1, 2017). Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. The full loop is a long day of serious gravel cycling with more than 7,500 feet in elevation gain. 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. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. As youre pedaling along, tune in to the chorus of bird calls and see how many distinct ones you can distinguish. 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. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and limited snowmobiling are winter favorites. We welcome your visit and have information to help you. Eventually youll make it to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, home to tens of thousands of birds who stop here on their long migratory voyages. The loop roads are in good condition. Visitors bike on rugged mountain roads, photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. For more information on current road conditions, recreation opportunities, or to obtain maps of the area, visit the Burns District Office at 28910 Hwy 20 West, in Hines, Oregon, or call (541) 573-4400, weekdays, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. In summer driving the loop road offers quick access to the summit via a quarter mile hike up a maintenance road. It is also home to a herd of the famous wild Kiger mustangs featured in the movie "Spirit." A few established campgrounds and . Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. The area is not fenced, but it is up to you to be aware of where you are on the playa. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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 Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Write a review to inform other visitors! Copyright 2023. Although the views are breath taking, so are the very steep drop offs, sharp turns and often narrow road. Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Wonderful views, local history, wild horses, and much more. So, I would check with the BLM office and see if the road is open now or when it does open. (1), Images A gated road (closed to the public) goes right to the top, at 9,737 feet to service an array of communications towers. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. 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. 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. massive internal pressure forced the east edge upward along a fault line. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Itll make your jaw drop. Thanks for any help you can offer. Should be left unchanged mountains high elevation can change from less than 4,000 feet over! 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