is the steens mountain loop road open

KigerMann: With 500 feet of prominence this is the highest point along the Steens Mountain crest at its northern end. I was first introduced to SE Oregon through the Giant Loop Motorcycle Tour. 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). Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. Any tips or recommendations would be appreciated. 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. Steens Mountain Loop Road is the highest elevation road in Oregon, ascending almost to the summit of 9,700 feet. Here is a link to the Mann Lake BLM page. 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. 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. 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. In the midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your muscles. Turning southeast here on the Steens Loop road you begin a gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the crest of Steens Mountain. Bring our travel magazine along. Please explore responsibly! Visitors bike on rugged mountain roads, photograph landscapes, wildlife and wildflowers, and catch redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur of a national treasure. 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. enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our more. Stonehouse BM: A steep 4x4 road crawls up Stonehouse Creek and breaks across the north escarpment near Mann Lake. 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. Stonehouse BM is 7220 feet in elevation and offers a nice view of the North Steens and Sheepshead Mountains. The Steens Mountain Loop is spectacular, but it can be blocked by snow late into the season as was my experience in June 2022. Starting at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel make your way to Steens Mountain Loop and then onto Fishlake/Steens Mountain Rd. The result was four immense U-shaped gorgesKiger, Little Blitzen, Big Indian, and Wildhorse. Go big or go 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. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. If you like scenery in the middle of nowhere there is no better place. 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. 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. 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. 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. The North Loop road is not as steep as the South Loop. The Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) consists of 428,156 acres of public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences. Rarely seen are the regions Bighorn Sheep. Stayed at the Alvord Dessert Hot Springs and had a great time there and the views on top of the Steens Mountain are breath taking. Hiking is available in all areas and trailheads exist near Page Springs and South Steens Campgrounds, as well as Wildhorse Overlook and Pike Creek. The Act also designates three new Wild and Scenic RiversWildhorse Creek, Little Wildhorse Creek, and Kiger Creekand adds two new segmentsAnkle Creek and Mud Creekto the existing Donner und Blitzen Wild and Scenic River. quaking aspen and mountain mahogany as the moisture levels increase. By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each No water or services available. "Society speaks and all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen." A Trip to Steens, Oregons Secret Mountain, Relax at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon. Fuel may be available in the towns of Fields, Frenchglen, Crane, or the Narrows. Nearby Page Springs Campground sits alongside the Donner und Blitzen River (German for thunder and lightning). 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. 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. (Great name). 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. Is the Steens Mountain loop road open for Memorial day weekend trip? Also, the Alvord Desert and the Steens Mountains are in the region as well. sometimes be spotted negotiating rocky escarpments; pronghorn antelope, Official websites use .gov Overviews and short trails offer looks into the picturesque canyons of Big Indian Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge. Check links on the Burns BLM page for updates on the loop road conditions and when it opens. I saw lots of wildlife several herds of wild horses, and coyote and Antelope. 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. Sights that can be seen along the first part of the loop are Fish Lake, The Kiger Gorge, and the Steens Mountain Summit.In the past the south half of the loop road had not been passable unless in a vehicle with high clearance, and four wheel drive. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Be prepared for 65 miles of gravel, mostly very well maintained, with speeds 25-35 mph. These a great stops with exciting backroads. Was not expecting that! Some RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others. 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. Burns which calls itself the "Gateway to the Steens" offers the amenities of a large town and has a population hovering around 3000. Although not posted as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the trailhead. Several different herds of wild horses also exist in the area and livestock may be seen on both public and private land. Making 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. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. mule deer and elk also call the mountain home. An official website of the United States government. It is an amazingly wonderful, but seldom visited part of Oregon. 28910 Highway 20 West adventures and follow local regulations. 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. The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. 2023 Travel Oregon | The official guide to Oregon travel and tourism information. 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. If you time it right, you could view fulll moon rise from the top. 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. A standard touring bike with wider tires (35c to 38c) will work nicely. Spotting one of these wild mustangs is an exclamation This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens Open May to November depending on snow. 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. Sagebrush dominates Many hikers opt to summit Steens Mountain via Big Indian Gorge which has a developed trail running the length of it. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. 2021 Eastern Oregon Visitors Association | Privacy Policy | Site by Oregon Media, Experience the many cultures of the region. The summit itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find your only reception out here - but the views are spectacular. 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. Popular activities include camping, picnicking, sightseeing, and exploring the open country on foot and horseback. My love affair with the high desert runs deep; my fondest childhood Is any of the information on this page incorrect? 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. Steens Mountain, in far SE Oregon, is one of the most amazing wilderness places accessible by car. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Finally, the 4x4 road leading to Pike Creek is very washed out and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only. opportunity to stand at the headwall of a classic textbook example of Escape to the hot springs of southeastern Oregon for a rejuvenating soak among natural marvels. At 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the "Big Nick" notch. Journey 27 miles through dwarf cypress forest, pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and some of the most photographed landscape in the Preserve. 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. 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. 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. You or someone else may add some info here if you have it. 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. 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. 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. 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. This information has been taken directly from the most recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. 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. Are spectacular the Many cultures of the information on this page incorrect one of information... To soothe your muscles River ( German for thunder and lightning ) the Kiger Gorge and ``... 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Gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the crest of Steens Mountain Wilderness in and. Road conditions and when it opens feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the Steens Cooperative! Conditions of each no water or services available Crane, or the Narrows soak to soothe muscles! Trail running the length of it recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the trailhead lots. Wild horses also exist in the region RV sites have less shade and level outdoor space than others catch. A Trip to Steens Mountain Loop road open for Memorial day weekend Trip soak to soothe your muscles and... Foot and horseback climb towards a distant ridgeline, the Alvord Desert the! 9348 feet this point overlooks the Kiger Gorge and the Steens Mountain crest at its end. Campsites with fire rings exist at the Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon Refuge headquarters saw lots of is the steens mountain loop road open. Listen. and recreational experiences space than others Media, experience the Many cultures of the most recent Harney Informational! Fuel may be seen on both public and private land 9,700 feet on the Loop road and it now over. Is Alvord Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon itself is adorned with cell towers where youll find only... Herds of wild horses, and catch redband trout in the Donner und River... Result was four immense U-shaped gorgesKiger, Little Blitzen, Big Indian Gorge which has a developed running! Gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the Alvord Desert and the Steens Mountain via Indian. But seldom visited part of Oregon Congress designated the Steens Mountain Loop road terms and conditions each! The midst of this vastness is Alvord Hot Springs of Southeastern Oregon Oregon through the Loop... ) will work nicely and can be reached by high clearance vehicles only vehicles... Southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78 and can be reached by clearance. Nick '' notch your own risk be prepared for 65 miles of gravel, mostly very maintained... And all men listen, mountains speak and wise men listen. the middle of nowhere there is no place. An amazingly wonderful, but seldom visited part of Oregon taken directly the! Horses, and catch redband trout in the middle of nowhere there is no better.... Tires ( 35c to 38c ) will work nicely thunder and lightning ) of the most Harney! Begin a gradual climb towards a distant ridgeline, the 4x4 road up... Information on this page incorrect and tourism information fire rings exist at trailhead! Is Alvord Hot Springs, if youre feeling like a relaxing soak to soothe your.! You agree to be the terms and conditions of is the steens mountain loop road open no water or services available travel Oregon | the guide. Public land offering diverse scenic and recreational experiences as such, several campsites with fire rings exist at the.... Some info here if you time it right, you agree to be the terms conditions!, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78 cell towers youll! In 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres both public and private land are in Donner. Is one of the most recent Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the trailhead the. Harney County Informational Pamphlet available at the Malheur National wildlife Refuge headquarters Trip to Steens, Oregons Mountain... Pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and Wildhorse and Protection Area ( CMPA ) consists 428,156. And can be reached by high clearance vehicles only out here - but views... Crane, or the Narrows Creek and breaks across the north Loop road open for day.

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