Overview
Steens Mountain is a 30 mile long fault scarp that forms an alpine island above the high desert of southeastern Oregon. Other than high elevation aspen groves and juniper on the lower slopes, the mountain lacks forest cover, and hikers can travel almost anywhere. Most of the summit ridge is BLM land, but there are areas in private ownership, especially in Kiger Gorge. The mountain's spectacular glacial gorges contain beautiful trout streams that are fed by snowbanks which often last through the summer.
The western slopes are gentle, but are cut by several huge glacial gorges. The east face of the fault scarp drops quickly over one vertical mile to the Alvord Desert. Vertical rock can be found, but the basalt is usually quite rotten. The highest point on this massive mountain is a short walk on a rough (and gated) road that departs from the loop road. A radio facility mars the true summit, but there are plenty of other wild peaks along the crest.
For hot spring lovers, several undeveloped thermal areas are located east of the mountain. There is nothing like a good soak after a long hike. Borax Lake is a huge 80 degree pool with a bottomless center. Alvord Hot Springs has a bath house of sorts, but its pretty hot! Mickey Hot Springs has no bathing potential but has very pretty pools and (if its been wet enough) an active mud pot.
Getting There
Steens Mountain is far off the beaten path. The nearest town of any size is Burns, with a population of about 3000. From there, follow State Route 205 south for about 60 miles to the small community of Frenchglen, which has a store, gas station, post office (all in one), and a nice historic hotel. A scenic loop road (Steens Mountain National Back Country Byway ) starts there that provides easy access to the high country. 50 miles of the loop are gravel and can be quite rough, but are usually passable in the family sedan during the brief summer season.
Good gravel roads reach the mountain from the south and east, but the distances are great. Gas is available at Fields.
Red Tape
No fees except in developed campgrounds.
When To Climb
The gentle western slopes of the Steens offer great ski touring in the Winter. The loop road is a wonderful multi-day trek. The loop road usually opens sometime in June, but snowfall in this desert land can be highly variable from year to year.
Camping
The Bureau of Land Management has several developed campgrounds along the loop road. There are endless opportunities for dispersed camping along roads and in the backcountry.
Mountain Conditions
Call the Burns District Office of Bureau of Land Management (541-573-4400) for information.
Maps and Other Links
Steens Mountain USGS 1:100,000 scale topo from Terraserver | From TopoZone | Aerial View
Fish Lake USGS 1:24,000 topo | Aerial View
Kiger Gorge USGS 1:100,000 scale topo | Aerial View
Wildhorse Lake USGS 1:24,000 scale topo | Aerial View
Hot Springs
Alvord Hot Springs USGS 1:100,000 scale topo | Aerial View
Mickey Hot Springs USGS 1:100,000 scale topo | Aerial View
Borax Lake USGS 1:100,000 scale topo | Aerial View
Images
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Southeast Oregon Basin and Range
