The road is not difficult at all. Bring our travel magazine along. You also agree to the storing of cookies on All Rights Reserved. Wouldn't recommend driving down the South Loop in any season. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! 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. Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including fishing and hunting, will be continued where consistent with the purpose of the Act. Ready to hit the road? The road also provides access to Steens Summit and the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District campgrounds. 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. Limited water sourcescarry enough water and food to last your entire trip, and do not drink from untested water sources. Absolutely gorgeous. The Open May to November depending on snow. An official website of the United States government. While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. Located at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and open year round.Frenchglen Wayside State Park:No camping spaces, but picnic spaces and a vaulted toilet. Hines, OR 97738 Copyright 2023. YEAH!! Youll come away with an up-close-and-personal appreciation for the scale of this geologic goliath, with its glacier-carved valleys, aspen groves, pure-water lakes and views to forever. 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. Burns District Office We were thinking of staying the first night in at Frenchglen, then doing the inner loop and returning for the night to Frenchglen. 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). 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. Remarkable Rocks Oregon Department of Transportation. Open July to November based on snow conditions.Mann Lake: (541) 573-4400Undeveloped campsites with vaulted toilets and a boat ramp. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. On the way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the chance to catch your dinner. Follow along the loop to get back to your starting point. Check out a nearby All-Access Preview trail guide: Steens Mountain Loop includes the highest road in Oregon and is one of Oregon's extraordinary scenic and geologic wonders. Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! 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. Its one of Oregons most rugged and lesser-visited destinations. Hines, OR 97730. 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. Farther up, increased moisture creates ideal conditions for a dense belt of juniper. Check with local BLM authorities. 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 North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. 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. All Rights Reserved. Steens Mountain makes you feel like you are on top of the world. Its said to bethe highest road of Oregon. I did see some wild horses on the drive. 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). 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2466 sq. Mountain Weather can be unpredictable and change suddenly. At the East Rim Viewpoint, peer off the precipice to the Alvord Desert 1 mile/1.6 kilometers below. For the full loop, an early start is recommended, and for us, that meant sharing the road with surprised deer. The showers are very clean, as is the whole campground. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. 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. Terrible washboard conditions for miles, which is a shame since it's such a spectacular area once you get up top. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin. The payback for the many miles of climbing is the steep downhill back to Frenchglen. Phone: 541-573-4400, Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, Steens Mountain Wilderness Area Story Map Tour, Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000. 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. It is truly a step back into time. Is that title clickbaitish? 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. The summit ridgeline is one of the more magical locations in Oregon. 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. Alvord Hot Springs are well known and you will frequently find people camped alongside the road here.Mickey Hot Springs: These undeveloped hot springs are usually too hot to bath or soak in, but do offer the opportunity for exploration of steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, and apparently bottomless pools of water. or learn to just turn around! 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. In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon. 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. The road to the summit is steep. Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. 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. For some reason I heard it in my head in the voice of those guys that do the Monster Truck event comme. Several different herds of wild horses also exist in the area and livestock may be seen on both public and private land. 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. On behalf of Oregon Bikepacking and VeloDirt, we present a select number of our routes that we find particularly special. From Kiger Gorge, the road turns south and skims along the rim. Southeast Oregon is a beautiful region with some great sightseeing opportunities. 23 Campsites with picnic tables and fire grates; first come, first serve. Wonderful views, local history, wild horses, and much more. I did not see any mustangs while there. The road to the summit of Steens Mountain is the highest road in Oregon, reaching nearly 10,000 feet. Yes the road is washboard at first. 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. I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. 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. Quando i fratelli d'Indovinello arrivarono il 1900, ci furono 100.000 bestiame e pecora che sfiora la gamma aperta in dintorno di valli Steens. Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. I debated how to write it. a massive "U" shaped canyon. At 7782 feet Devine Rock is one of the more difficult summits in Southeast Oregon as it's protected by cliff bands on all faces. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides access to four campgrounds and the views from Kiger Gorge, East Rim, Big Indian Gorge, Wildhorse and Little Blitzen Gorge overlooks are not to be missed! Steens Open Season Fish Lake Campground is open mid-June through October. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. We welcome your visit and have information to help you. The average gradient is 3.87%. Steens Mountain Loop includes the highest road in Oregon and is one of Oregon's extraordinary scenic and geologic wonders. Alvord Peak is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest in The Peaks subregion and has over 1000 feet of prominence. 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. 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. There are pit toilets at the South Steens campground if you need to make a bathroom stop. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. The herd is managed by the Bureau of Land Management to preserve their Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 28910 Highway 20 West I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. 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. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. Starting at the tiny, historic town of Frenchglen, on OR-205, the ascent is 43.61km (27.1 miles) long. Visitors bike on rugged mountain roads, photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. Talk about seeing what you just climbed. A Trip to Steens, Oregons Secret Mountain, Relax at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon. (Great name). Learn more about travel impacts in Oregon. So, do you htink there is plenty to see on that loop into the mountains off from Frenchglen to keep us busy? Itll make your jaw drop. 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. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. Some of the graffiti scratched into the tree bark was made decades ago by Basque shepherds, many of whom first arrived in Oregon in the late 19th century and settled in the southeastern corner of the state. We were so excited for our miracle and for the fabulous views we could see from the high viewpoints all along the way. 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Youll come away with an up-close-and-personal appreciation for the scale of this geologic goliath, with its glacier-carved valleys, aspen groves, pure-water lakes and views to forever. of elevation gain. The Steens Mountain Loop Road is a designated Oregon State Scenic Tour Route. that escaped from early explorers, Indians, settlers, miners, and ranchers. It is truly a step back into time. 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. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. west slope of the mountain may receive as much as 25' of precipitation, 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. Visitors can also spend hours watching the amazing, breathtaking antics of raptors as they soar and dive in the high mountain wind currents. It seems like most people dont know about Steens Mountain, and fewer have been. It took up about 3 hours with view stops and lunch. We are 2 couples planning our Steens trip. 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. Point 8844: Located 1 mile east of the summit; on topographic maps this is marked as a nameless elevation, at 8844 feet. Dont hesitate to talk to localsarea landowners and Federal employees are generally visible in the Steens Mountain area. Conditions No conditions reported in the past 7 days Want to report conditions for this trail? 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. 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. eagles, the largest raptor on Steens Mountain, can often be seen riding 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. As cyclists, were spoiled living in Oregon. The gravel is generally good throughout the route. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! closed in the winter months. Check with local BLM authorities. Then turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen. As you leave the junipers, you will be surrounded by large expanses of Mountain big sagebrush. On the way down, Fish Lake offers a nice campground and the chance to catch your dinner. 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. 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. the Alvord Desert in its shadow receives less than six inches. Above the juniper and aspen, severe climate and thin soils result in a belt of grasses, low-growing plants, and stunted, wind-formed shrubs. Go big or go home . A lock ( The road to the summit opens every June, and its gates remain unlocked until October or whenever snowfall makes passage unsafe. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different This grueling but extreme-adventurous 276-mile loop takes you around and on top of Steens. Expect to find the pools somewhere in the range of 100-120 degrees. Also, the first ever Redband Trout Reserve has been created to improve stream health and fish habitat. About 8.5 miles up the road and its arrow-straight through here youre back off the highway again, and returning to true solitude for the 13 miles between highways. It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. Circumnavigate Steens Mountain including an arduous climb to the summit. point on a remarkable drive. The Steens Mountain Loop Road provides access to four designated campgrounds, Steens Summit and Wildhorse Lake Trailheads, the Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District. Migratory birds traveling the Pacific Flyway use Harney County as a rest and refueling stop. The south. 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. Contact Burns District BLM for more information. We saw a white BLM pickup coming down at a fairly decent speed and thought, "maybe this is the guy who has opened the gate for us!" A summmitpost page exists for this mountain and much more information can be found there including amazing pictures of the Kiger Gorge and notch. there. Thankfully we packed a lunch because it was much longer than I thought. There are five major glaciated canyons 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.