Steens Mtn visit

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drm
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Steens Mtn visit

Post by drm » June 25th, 2022, 7:28 am

Drove down for my first visit last week. Passed by the Painted Hills on the way.

I had been hoping to backpack Big Indian Gorge, but with warnings about high water in general, there was a lot of snow up high and the first real heat wave of the season. If I got across going in, would I be able to get out? So I passed on that.

Started out with some short hikes out of the campgrounds.

The loop road was closed at the bottom (just above Page Springs CG) on the north side but was open to the viewpoints on the south. So from a camp at South Steens CG, I decided I would road walk to the top somewhere. It would be 19 miles to road walk to the summit, more than I ever do any more, so I aimed for the East Rim Viewpoint, more reasonable at 15 miles. I only saw two other pairs of people that day, one of them on bikes, which is the way to go now.

Well, that's my desert hiking fix for this year.
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Little Blitzen Gorge
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Little Blitzen Creek - before the heat wave started
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Only 6 miles to the rim! (note tracks)
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They plowed the road!
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This isn't natural, is it?
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Road jcn, the one going up is the half mile spur to the East Rim
steens_7.jpg
From East Rim looking south to the summit, virtually the same altitude
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Alvord Desert
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looking north

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retired jerry
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by retired jerry » June 25th, 2022, 7:49 am

thanks for the report

this is on my list - I go to do this some day, but it's so far away

I have thought about getting mountain bike for bike packing, hmmm...

justpeachy
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by justpeachy » June 26th, 2022, 7:14 pm

Good to see this. Looks like we'll have snow and very few wildflowers when we visit in a week. The BLM posted on Facebook that there was a good chance the loop road would fully open by the 4th of July.

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adamschneider
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by adamschneider » June 26th, 2022, 7:56 pm

justpeachy wrote:
June 26th, 2022, 7:14 pm
Good to see this. Looks like we'll have snow and very few wildflowers when we visit in a week. The BLM posted on Facebook that there was a good chance the loop road would fully open by the 4th of July.
You'll see tons of flowers, just not on the rim.

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greglief
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by greglief » June 27th, 2022, 5:39 am

adamschneider wrote:
June 26th, 2022, 7:56 pm
You'll see tons of flowers, just not on the rim.
Where would you suggest looking?

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adamschneider
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by adamschneider » June 27th, 2022, 6:02 am

greglief wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 5:39 am
adamschneider wrote:
June 26th, 2022, 7:56 pm
You'll see tons of flowers, just not on the rim.
Where would you suggest looking?
Pretty much anywhere. Roadsides, drying vernal pools, cliff bottoms, scenic overlooks...

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drm
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by drm » June 27th, 2022, 6:31 am

I saw a smattering of flowers here and there, nothing too impressive compared to the displays I am used to. Just needed more time I guess.

The road was already plowed and snow-free, and I assume so for the northern segment. But it was still wet and quite soft in places where they had plowed. I figure that they want it to dry and harden so that cars don't create ruts.

I was there midweek and both Page Springs and South Steens CG were 90% full by sunset. Only a few sites with no mid-day shade were left. Page Springs was quite buggy - I would say 5 on a scale 1-10.

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bobcat
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by bobcat » June 27th, 2022, 6:44 am

drm wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 6:31 am
Page Springs was quite buggy - I would say 5 on a scale 1-10.
Page Springs was a 10 the two times I've camped there. By far the buggiest campground I've ever been at. People like South Steens because it isn't buggy (that is well-known) but you will be entertained by bullbats at nightfall.

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drm
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by drm » June 28th, 2022, 6:40 am

I have a rather large/tall car camping tent. I can put my upright camp chair inside it, and it's floor is strong enough not to be damaged too. So I could sit inside the tent the same as I would have outside when the bugs peaked in the evening, reading my book, enjoying the views through the mesh. Most campers just got in their RVs.

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greglief
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Re: Steens Mtn visit

Post by greglief » June 28th, 2022, 4:52 pm

adamschneider wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 6:02 am
greglief wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 5:39 am
adamschneider wrote:
June 26th, 2022, 7:56 pm
You'll see tons of flowers, just not on the rim.
Where would you suggest looking?
Pretty much anywhere. Roadsides, drying vernal pools, cliff bottoms, scenic overlooks...
Thank you!

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