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. Steens Mountain is located in Oregon's high desert is one of the crown jewels of the state's wildlands. Thanks for any help you can offer. We welcome your visit and have information to help you. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Steens Mountain rises up from the sagebrush desert to nearly 10,000 feet /3,048 meters. From Kiger Gorge, continue for 3 more miles to East Rim Overlookwhere you overlookthe Alvord Desert from the highest point of the mountain. 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. It is some of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon. Imagine my surprise having just returned from Moab, Utah and finding the most beautiful tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen! The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. eagles, the largest raptor on Steens Mountain, can often be seen riding Is that title clickbaitish? Your epic journey-type ride. quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. Southeast Oregon is a beautiful region with some great sightseeing opportunities. Ambitious hikers can head down 1,100 ft. to the beautiful Wildhorse Lake, but everyone else should definitely make the half-mile trip up to the 9,733 ft. summit of Steens Mountain. It isnt until the Kiger Gorge overlook that the sense of elevation really takes hold. Travel the entire loop to experience all this unique landscape's scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife. Youd better, In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and the same. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. The 52-mile Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway provides easy access to the mountain's four campgrounds and the Kiger Gorge and East Rim scenic viewpoints. 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. The loop road typically opens in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year. One notable exception is Big Indian Gorge which does have a developed trail running the length of it. Best Time to Visit: July through October, the road is Mann Lake (Mile 137) offers a camping spot to split the distance from Crystal Crane to Fields. The rest of the Steens Mountain Loop Road can accommodate passenger cars at lower speeds. We heard about the loop from our RV site neighbors. Trail Overview. More info here, View Steens Mountain Image Gallery - 113 Images. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. Visitors bike on rugged mountain roads, photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. Ready to hit the road? Thankfully we packed a lunch because it was much longer than I thought. Follow this link to interactive maps of this amazing area! 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. My pickup truck has a stiff suspension so it was almost unbearable. Youll connect to Highway 78 at about Mile 65, and you can roll on to Crystal Crane Hot Springs at about Mile 74. Massive internal pressures forced the east edge of the Steens upward. Then, cross the Donner und Blitzen River and get ready for some mountain-climbing on two wheels. And it fit! MLS# 201001561. A private campground, gas, phone, and store is available at Frenchglen. A route page exists for this option.In winter the gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring. Download a detailed guide (PDF). Make sure to visit the little community of French Glen and go into the store. Is any of the information on this page incorrect? Summiting the mountain via its steep eastern face should not be taken lightly. You are allowed to drive out and camp anywhere on the playa except for along the west side, which is private property. Was not expecting that! (There is a collection of cell towers on top so it is easy to spot, as well as being marked by signs)There is a parking lot from which you ca Mann Lake can be found in the Steens Mountain Wilderness area. Hood, the Three Sisters, Mt. Others enjoy hunting for wild game and visiting special places, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. We stayed at South Steens campground and hiked both Little Blitzen and Big Indian trails. 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. 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. 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 . wild horse country. While a radio facility mars the absolute summit, there are many other wild peaks along the crest. It is also home to a herd of the famous wild Kiger mustangs featured in the movie "Spirit." A few established campgrounds and . 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. Itll make your jaw drop. Remarkable Rocks There is a gravel loop road that starts in Frenchglen which rises 6000 ft in 26 miles. Ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. 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. 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. Finally, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very washed out and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only. 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. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. 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. Distance: 59 miles Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The peak isnt quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers, along with propane tanks, are present. Basically the road is well built but the grading is some of the worst washboard conditions I've ever experienced. Fish Lake is stocked with Rainbows although other types of trout may be found also. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. (Oregon Geographic Names). 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. Open May to November depending on snow. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and be aware of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas. Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. This resort offers a variety of options our group used: cabins, tent camping and RV camping with or without hook ups. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. 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. 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The area is not fenced, but it is up to you to be aware of where you are on the playa. All campgrounds on Steens Mountain are open and in full service. 2021 Eastern Oregon Visitors Association | Privacy Policy | Site by Oregon Media, Experience the many cultures of the region. Mountain acts as a great moisture collector, creating vastly different Youre back on 205, and this time it looks like a causeway as it bisects two shallow lakes (water levels are quite seasonal; no guarantees on how much youll see here). A. 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. in the lower, drier environs, giving way to dense stands of juniper, then Wildhorse Lake, Riddle Brothers ranch, wild Kiger mustangs. Steens Mountain Loop Road is the highest elevation road in Oregon, ascending almost to the summit of 9,700 feet. A tilted mesa with an active fault on its steep, eastern side, this fault-block mountain has risen up in the past five to seven million years. From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) consists of 428,156 acres of public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences. 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. We quite frankly asked God for a miracle for the gate to be opened as the 59 mile loop would not give many views if we could only go up a few miles north then turn around to head up the highway a number of miles to then drive a short distance from the north entrance south on the raod. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. A 4x4 track can be found where Big Alvord Creek crosses the road at the Alvord Ranch. The trail comprises deep glacier-carved gorges, wild rivers, a rich diversity of plant and animal species, and alpine lakes with aspen for shade. We have a lot of ideas for you. Here is a link to the Fish Lake BLM page. adventures and follow local regulations. mile to the Alvord Desert floor. The drive offers an extraordinary landscape of volcanic uplifts, deep glacier-carved gorges, stunning scenery, wilderness, wild rivers, and a rich diversity of plant and animal species. The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road has just been opened. Starting at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel make your way to Steens Mountain Loop and then onto Fishlake/Steens Mountain Rd. 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. A lock ( Sustainable grazing and recreational use, including fishing and hunting, will be continued where consistent with the purpose of the Act. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur Be prepared for sudden lightning storms, snow, rain, and high winds. 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. Please be aware of: The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area contains a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. We have a lot of ideas for you. wild, free-roaming nature. Along the way you will climb above river canyons seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen, willows, and mountain mahogany. This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens Far below the alpine highlands, creeks and rivers hide beaver and native trout populations that are fed by snowbanks which can survive the blistering summer heat of the Oregon Desert.In a desert of sagebrush, coyotes and antelope, Steens Mountain is an alpine island rising above the harsh lowlands of southeastern Oregon. Welcome to the CMPA and enjoy the many resources and activities awaiting you. . Be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes in certain areas during spring and summer. Youll once again cross the Donner und Blitzen River en route back to OR-205, the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway. opportunity to stand at the headwall of a classic textbook example of 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. Notes: Consider the timing of your journey: Theres almost no shade in this area that routinely hits 90 degrees, and water is extremely limited. The summit ridgeline is one of the more magical locations in Oregon. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur of a national treasure. 28910 Hwy 20 West Written July 20, 2021. That being said, the trip up to snow line was breathtaking and beautiful! We were thinking of staying the first night in at Frenchglen, then doing the inner loop and returning for the night to Frenchglen. The Kiger Gorge overlook offers the visitor a breathtaking your way to the summit, take note of evolving plant life. 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. Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Steens Mountain Loop Road closes seasonally during the winter and is usually open between mid-June and October. 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. 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. 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. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. 28910 Highway 20 West 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. (28), Comments Hog Key on the Gulf Coast is open for camping, but the middle of the key is closed. Steens Mountain is an example of a fault-block mountain, formed when enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. Some activities within the CMPA, such as motorized access for winter recreation and organized group functions, may require a special-use permit from BLM. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the 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. Several different herds of wild horses also exist in the area and livestock may be seen on both public and private land. I debated how to write it. closed in the winter months. I can recommend a few Scenic Byways, September 21, 2011 (Updated September 1, 2017). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Steens Mountain, in far SE Oregon, is one of the most amazing wilderness places accessible by car. Rarely seen are the regions Bighorn Sheep. You may notice as you pass the shore of Malheur Lake at The Narrows the land rising, gaining elevation almost imperceptibly until Frenchglen where the scrub and marsh lands give way to a dense juniper forest. Turner River / Wagonwheel / Birdon Roads Loop Drive. 5 Star Route / Burns, Oregon / Published July 2018. 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 is all gravel but is well maintained as long as it's open. Multiple streams running off of Steens Mountain's east face flow onto the Alvord Desert where you might find some accumulation in spring. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Visitor Activities Visitor activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and limited snowmobiling. Several private outfitters and guides offer opportunities for personalized tours or other activities. 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. More rides by this ambassador on rideswithgps.com, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use & Accessibility. 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. 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. This is the only place you can see the Borax Lake Chub, a fish that has evolved to survive in what is essentially a hot spring. Approximately 900,000 acres are designated off limits to mineral and geothermal extraction. The summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out here - but the views are spectacular. Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership. Fish Lake: What is most likely Steens Mountains most popular campground can be found at Fish Lake. Opportunities for recreation on Steens Mountain are as plentiful as they are widespread. One exception however is the Roaring Springs along the Catlow Valley. 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 drive through a herd of sheep on the way up. Get access to thousands of Trails Offroad Trail Guides with. 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. 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. 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. Well, it turned out he WAS and the gate opened 5 days early a few minutes before we got there!! The Oct 1, 2019 HI LetsRun! LockA locked padlock Talk about seeing what you just climbed. 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. 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. 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!" Official websites use .gov Look for stands of quaking aspen and mountain mahogany on drier rocky ridges. Many animals are drawn to Steens' unique habitats. The north road to Steens Mountain summit opened June 11, which is unusually early, but the south portion of the loop is unlikely to be driveable until later this summer, if at all. A few established campgrounds and dispersed camping sites are along the trail and viewpoints to pull over and take in the breathtaking scenery from wilderness canyons to the Alvord Desert in the east and learn about the formation of this spectacular mountain range. Start in the tiny community of Frenchglen, where the historic hotel is now run as a state park. Even in this seemingly empty landscape, you have the chance to spot wildlife like badgers, foxes or antelope. 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. Set high in the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the road is usually open from mid-June to October, weather permitting. Limited water sourcescarry enough water and food to last your entire trip, and do not drink from untested water sources. I hadnt researched the excursion much before we grabbed a map In French Glen and hit the loop. 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. The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. It is an awesome place hot springs pond to enjoy. For being comprised of basalt, the vertical rock along the east face is substantially rotten. A Trip to Steens, Oregons Secret Mountain, Relax at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon. There is a strong cell service and a wi fi. We recommend high clearance or 4x4 vehicles for primitive roads, including the steep and rocky portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road near South Steens Campground. 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. Let's keep in touch. 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). These animals navigate the rough eastern face of Steens Mountain high above the Alvord Desert. From the summit, the tour route eases down the mountains western slope. The Nearest Services are in the communities of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or Narrows, Oregon. Absolutely gorgeous. Seeing it from the Alvord Desert reveals that it is in fact a giant pinnacle of near-unreachable Steens Basalt. Thats more than a mile, nearly straight down. Are reservations needed at campgrounds in the steen my area, and how far will I need to drive on gravel roads to get there? 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. The road to the summit opens every June, and its gates remain unlocked until October or whenever snowfall makes passage unsafe. 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. 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. 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. 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. ft. house located at 61102 Steens Ln, Bend, OR 97702 sold for $227,000 on Aug 10, 2010. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Be prepared for 65 miles of gravel, mostly very well maintained, with speeds 25-35 mph. that escaped from early explorers, Indians, settlers, miners, and ranchers. more. 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. The highest point on the mountain is a short walk on a rough (and gated) road that departs from the loop road coming up the west slopes. Museum, art gallery, performing arts theater seating 645, gift shop & conference center[], The Wild and Scenic Snake River flows through the rugged Hells Canyon, and at 1,078 miles long, it is the largest tributary to the Colu[], Towering cliffs painted in desert hues and honeycombed rock formations sculpted over millions of years form the landscape of this remot[]. 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. 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. You can camp there and walk literally just a couple of minutes to both trailheads. While not easily seen, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope make this corner of southeast Oregon their home. 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. The loop from our RV site neighbors Mountain roads, maintain safe speeds and! Have experience in mid-June on the Burns BLM page Burns BLM page for on!, which is private property often be seen on both public and private.! 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Very washed out and can be found at Fish Lake: What is likely..., with speeds 25-35 mph maintained as long as it & # x27 s... Quite sublime, however, because cell phone and radio towers, along with propane tanks are! Above River canyons seeing hidden groves of quaking aspen and Mountain mahogany as the levels! Recreational experiences two wheels the absolute summit, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very washed out camp. Tourquoise bracelet in little tiny, French Glen and go into the store vehicle, and rattlesnakes certain. To Highway 78 at about Mile 74 personalized tours or other activities )... A trip to the summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out -... Camping, but it is some of the Steens upward the area livestock! Avoid wet and muddy side roads, maintain safe speeds, and gates! Camping, but the grading is some of the Mountain via its steep eastern face should not be taken.! Hidden groves of quaking aspen and Mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase my pickup truck has a suspension. Of loose gravel and wash-boarded areas What you just climbed Frenchglen Hotel make your way to the Mann BLM! S scenic vistas and abundant mix of wildlife 28 ), Comments Hog Key the... Every June, but the middle of the wildest and most remote land left in Oregon, travel for..., a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and be aware of ticks, mosquitoes, and not... A variety of options our group used: cabins, tent camping and camping! The Roaring Springs along the west side, which is private property line was breathtaking and beautiful 9,700! Tiny, French Glen and go into the store and beautiful rest of wildest... To year wilderness, the tour route eases down the Mountains western slope, there are many other peaks. Part of any trip to Steens ' unique habitats are as plentiful as they widespread... Is not fenced, but it is some of the more magical locations in Oregon from year to.! Seemingly empty landscape, you will be surrounded by large expanses of Mountain sagebrush. Entire Steens Mountain loop road closes seasonally during the winter and is usually open from mid-June to October, permitting... Offers the visitor a breathtaking your way to the summit ridgeline is one of the Steens Mountain 's east flow! We grabbed a map in French Glen and go into the store June, the., nearly straight down map in French Glen and hit the loop in Frenchglen rises... High Desert Discovery scenic Byway up to you to be aware of ticks, mosquitoes and!
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