(MLSCO) Sold: 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2586 sq. Steens Mountain lies between the Alvord Desert and the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. The route then goes north along the Steens Mountain Loop road and then descends into Steen's westerly stretching Little Blitzen Gorge, follows the meandering Little Blitzen River and then crosses south and back to South Steens Campground. For $10 to the office at Alvord Hot Springs, you can drive 0.75 miles into this trail where there are drive in campsites (for an additional fee) and a . . The 10K course follows the Steens Mountain Loop Road, passing the headwaters of both Fish Creek and the Little Blitzen. There are no trailhead amenities. Steens Mountain Wilderness. The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. Advertisements From Frenchglen Steens Mountain is one of Oregon's great scenic and geologic wonders, a 30-mile/48.2-kilometer fault block that is a small mountain range rather than a single peak. I'm not familiar with the OSP site, but used to know the area fairly well, as my . First on the list is the Steens Mountain Loop road, which is not currently a loop (they're working on the last half), but you can get up to . The road is usually open after the Fourth of July, but check with the Burns District BLM. Remarkable Rocks 3-5 hours. Wonderful SE Bend home on large . 3. level 1. The only tense moments on the road were when meeting . The Little Blitzen River Canyon (arrow) on the west side of Steens Mountain The trailhead parking is just beyond the 2 nd gate (which was open, although the road was still impassable further up due to snow), - The South Steens Campground is open when it is not . The remaining snowdrifts were cleared earlier this week, and although road conditions have improved, travelers should still drive with caution. . 60 mi S of Burns Gnarled and knotty little . From there you will continue for about 22 miles to find yourself at Kiger Gorge Lookout. As you run along the rim's edge, a number of high mountain views make the race a memorable experience. Respect land owners and always get permission to go onto private property. ft. house located at 61340 Steens Mountain Loop, Bend, OR 97702 sold for $500,000 on Jul 11, 2008. High-clearance or 4×4 vehicles are strongly recommended for primitive roads, including the steep and rocky portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road near South Steens Campground. Route Details. Most people first experience Steens Mountain by driving the North Loop Road from Frenchglen to the summit. Steens Mountain Wilderness. 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. If the night is clear, we'll offer an optional after-dinner walk near the hotel . The canyon is obvious as you approach it along the southern leg of the Steens Mountain Loop Road. In many places the wilderness boundary flanks the Steens Mountain Loop Road on both sides. Next Review . Give your brakes one final check and continue on the Steens Mountains Loop Road. If you want to experience snow on the mountain, go early. It's an amazingly scenic drive that is a worthy part of any trip to the Steens. The remaining portion of the Loop Road, from Fish Lake to Big Indian, will be opened as soon as additional snow melts and road conditions allow for vehicular travel. STEENS CAMPGROUND HINES, Oregon The lower portion of the Steens Mountain Loop Road, from Highway 205 to South Steens Campground, will open Friday, May 15 for the summer season. While Steens Mountain is a long drive from anywhere, a scenic loop road travels . In ten miles you will drop 4,100 feet. Obey road closure signs and stay on designated open routes (which are those shown on current BLM maps) driving off road is prohibited. . DRIVE TIME: Steens Mountain is about 400 miles (8 hours) southeast of Portland and 250 miles (41/2 hours) southwest of Boise, Idaho. In the height of summer you may find the . The road seemed to grow from the rocky surface of the mountain. The Alvord Hot Springs are sandwiched between the Steens summit and the Alvord Desert, which provides a stunning backdrop for a soak. Steens Mountain has become the premier recreation destination in Southeast Oregon. 3h 7m. It is along Steens Mountain Loop Road about 3 miles (5 km) from Kiger . More Info Steens Loop Tour Route. What To Do. Day 3—We made the relatively easier climb to the ridge above Wildhorse Lake (9300') where there is a boot-made trail that followed the ridge to a spur road near Steens Summit. The Steens Mountain CMPA is a mixture of public and private lands and specially designated areas where particular regulations may apply. One of Oregon's protected areas, the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area is an incredible 500,000 acres of one of the nations most unique landscapes. One species, no longer present, was the grizzly bear. The Steens Mountain Loop Road is 66 miles long and is a popular route for viewing wildlife. Surface: ~ 35 % gravel, 65% paved. There are pit toilets at the South Steens campground if you need to make a bathroom stop. The road reaches an elevation of 9,700 feet. The United States Congress designated the Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000 and it now has over 170,200 acres. . A short distance to the east is the Alvord Desert, 5,000 feet below the rugged East Rim. 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. . If you've extra time, however, consider exploring the East Steens Road . The mountain loop is also the only truly rough riding. 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. Also called the Steens Mountain Loop Road, this scenic byway is roughly 52 miles long, and takes 1-2 hours to drive. Alvord Hot Springs. LOGE Bend is open year-round. When you look at this mountain range, it seems like a basalt island in the Alvord Desert to the east because its peak is more than 5,000 feet high. of elevation gain. When it opens depends on snow, so you'll have to check right before you leave. Vehicles, sheep, and cows are banned in the wilderness. — 2022 REGISTRATION IS OPEN . From the trailhead at the end of the road, the summit is just a short hike. Loop: 281 miles / 13,585 feet gain. From the west, through French Glen you really have no idea there is a mountain. Steens Mountain is a fault block mountain which runs about 50 miles north to south. Naturally, the Steens Mountain Loop, the biggest draw to the Frenchglen area, is a geological wonder. Geology: Driving the road up Steens Mountain is like climbing a 20-mile ramp. .GPX File. This is where the Steens Mountain Loop Road begins, but make sure to check out one very cool attraction first. It doesn't take a math major to figure out that's a tough descent on gravel roads. The southern portion of the Steens Loop Road has been greatly improved in recent years, especially a steep (and formerly rutted) 4-mile section that follows a ridgeline between this canyon and Big . SR-530) Road and trail condition reports are updated regularly with help from forest visitors, trail crews and engineering reports. Stops today include both Big Indian and Little . The Steens Mountain Loop Road — the highest road in the state — begins in the hamlet of Frenchglen and runs 52 miles past campsites, lakes and to the 9,733-foot summit. 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. Steens Mountain is one of the most spectacular places anywhere. Highly desirable home located in Ponderosa Estat. The Steens Mountain Loop Road, a 49 mile graveled Bureau of Land Management (BLM) road provides access points into the wilderness. 46 acre lot w/ RV parkin. At a somewhat lower elevation of 7,800 feet (2,400 m) above sea level is the Jackman Park Campground. This 59-mile/95-kilometer loop includes the highest road in Oregon, traveling around and up this grand Great Basin landmark. The campground is open from mid-June to October and may require four-wheel-drive vehicles with high clearance to . Luckily, that's no longer true as they've been laying a new layer of rock and gravel down. Starting in Frenchglen, you'll get to completely . Located along East Steens Road, these privately owned and maintained springs collect into two concrete pools, one of them is out in the open, and the other is enclosed for some privacy. THE WAY: From Burns, Oregon, drive 60 miles south on OR 205 to Frenchglen. To find it, drive nine miles south of Frenchglen in Harney County to the south Steens loop. You drive through the south edge of Malhure Wildlife refuge, open rangeland, and vast rolling hills. All of this wilderness is located in Oregon and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Location: ~ Burns, OR. Congress protected much of this 50-mile-long mountain with the 174,573-acre Steens Mountain Wilderness in 2000. As you run along the rim's edge, a number of high mountain views make the race a memorable experience. Steens Mountain is a 30-mile-long fault block mountain with several glacially carved gorges and a stunning variety of endemic plants. eBike Friendly: Yes. If you are going for the Steens Mountain Loop drive, it generally does not open until July 1st, so check before making your plans. Do not attempt to go around road closure signs and stay on designated open routes . Along the way we had amazing views down Big Indian and Little . Snow gates may be closed to road access during the rest of the year. — 2022 REGISTRATION IS OPEN . ft. house located at 61390 Steens Mountain Loop, Bend, OR 97702 sold for $850,000 on Sep 14, 2021. Along the way, you'll have ample opportunities to view wildlife and take in the grandeur of a national treasure. If you ever need a reason to drive to the very far south-eastern corner of Oregon, this, my friends, is it. A. The Steens Loop Tour Route This 59-mile loop departs from Frenchglen and climbs to the top of Steens Mountain, which rests in the clouds at nearly 10,000 feet. 59 miles (95 km) View bighorn sheep and golden eagles soaring above along the Steens Loop Tour Route. 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 . There are few obstacles, but speed can make many of the corners dangerous, and you'll also find many steep grades. Before heading out, contact the Bureau of Land Management in Burns at 541-573-4400 or check their website for more information. Congress protected much of this 50-mile . The opening affords visitor access up to South Steens Campground and to the entrance gate for Riddle Brothers Ranch National Historic District. You head out of town and up the Steens Loop road. When it opens depends on snow, so you'll have to check right before you leave. Give yourself 3 hours to drive with short stops; plan for 4 to 5 if you will be doing more exploring. The overlook is 22 miles (35 km) from the unincorporated community of Frenchglen along Steens Mountain Loop Road. Best Ridden: The Loop Road road tends to be open mid June through October. There are a lot of people in this area. 7h 8m. During the winter, parts of the byway can be closed due to snow or other inclement conditions. I had never made the complete Steens' Mountain loop, as I'd been too low on gas the first time and was told the next trip that although my Element has all-wheel drive it didn't have high enough ground clearance to be safe on the back side. The road up to Fish Lake probably won't open until late June / early July because of snow, but when everything lines up there's no better sky to observe under. The mountain was named after explorer and military officer, Enoch Steen, and hosts a high-altitude running camp. 3 reviews of Steens Mountain "Wow. The site is generally open from July 4 through November 1. The dramatic rise of this fault block mountain above the surrounding landscape and its impact on the topography, including the Alvord Desert and the Malhuer Wildlife Refuge, makes for an unforgettable experience. Steens Mountain Loop Road — the highest road in Oregon, ascending to 9,733 feet just below the summit — is a loop in name only. Is south Steens Campground open? The ugly: the road over the mountain usually doesn't open until early to mid-July, just in time for the mosquitoes. The Steens Mountains are the highest fault block mountains in the U.S. MLS# 2805487. We had closely completed the second base day of our five-day cycle travel around Steens Mountain. You will be squeezing the brakes. Please call Darrington Ranger District at 360-436-1155 to give a conditions report after your visit. The high slopes and deep gorges of Steens make for some worthy hiking, but beware; trails here are primitive and often unmarked. Steens Mountain, Frenchglen: See 62 reviews, articles, and 49 photos of Steens Mountain on Tripadvisor. It's accessed by the Steens Mountain Loop Road, a rugged 59-mile drive that leads to many incredible views. Today, the corral, used in its heyday to train wild horses, is open to visitors and includes a few interpretive panels with regional history. 5y. More info here and here.