Camping and Hiking on Oregon's Steens Mountain

Back at the end of August, the dogs and I took a drive up the Steens Mountain Backcountry road. Steens Mountain is a large fault-block uplift in south-eastern Oregon, that rises up to heights of over 9,700 feet above sea level. This area contains several large gorges that were scoured from the mountain in the last ice age and provides many opportunities for hiking and camping.
Date Filmed: August 28, 2022
* Steens Backcountry Rd. Sign: 42°48'35.12"N 118°51'15.07"W
* Campsite: 42°42'33.68"N 118°35'1.85"W
* Kiger Gorge Overlook: 42°42'30.72"N 118°34'29.89"W
* Mosquito Creek (Where we parked): 42°41'48.50"N 118°34'15.75"W
* Little Blitzen Gorge: 42°40'57.58"N 118°33'54.60"W
* East Rim Overlook: 42°39'58.73"N 118°33'54.45"W
* Steens Summit Trailhead: 42°38'29.06"N 118°34'47.64"W
* Lower Little Blitzen Gorge: 42°40'25.05"N 118°41'41.12"W
* Hwy. 205: 42°43'17.36"N 118°59'55.63"W
Information of Steens Mountain: www.blm.gov/programs/recreati...
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Danner Mountain Light II (Amazon) amzn.to/49Gcc00
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Hoka Speedgoat 5 (Amazon) amzn.to/49vzTIu
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Superfeet Insole (Green) (Amazon) amzn.to/3uFQavK
Kuhl Revolver
Kuhl Renegade Shorts
Kuhl Renegade Cargo Convertable
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
REI Liner Gloves
Manzella Wind-stop Gloves
Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles (Amazon) amzn.to/430ci0F
Stkygood Foam Pad (Amazon) amzn.to/49F7CPH
Leatherman Signal (Amazon) amzn.to/3OIQd0j
Petzl Tikka + (No longer available)
Sunblessa Headtorch H-11 (Amazon) amzn.to/3UN70Do
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Sayer SP-128 (Amazon) amzn.to/3SMN158
Sea to Summit X-Bowl (Amazon) amzn.to/3TdcypP
Ospray Stratos 36 (Amazon) amzn.to/3OMehzD New version
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[@JediTocs]

Great video. I'm planning on driving this in September; so this was very useful.

[@AbouttheJourney]

Thank you! I love Steens Mountain! You'll love doing this drive. I would have liked to have spent more time hiking down to places like Wildhores Lake and some of the gorges, but I guess I'll just have to go back, lol. It's really stunning up there. I'm glad this video helped! Enjoy your trip and thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@AlphaTraveler1]

Man, you got some fantastic views. It is incredible. LIKE 25. 👍👍👍👍

[@AbouttheJourney]

This place is spectacular! We were fortunate to have a relatively clear day too. Views abound! Thanks for watching. ~ Mike

[@petergraham8681]

Wonderful Images. The road to the summit from Frenchglen is a fine washboard road but continuing down from the summit to the hwy. south of Frenchglen was, at least in 2006, very dicey for passenger vehicles. I was wondering if that part of the loop road has been repaired at all. Anyway the 25 miles up from Frenchglen is a remarkable drive & should be savered. Not sure about Fish Lake but reports remain positive & Jackman (?) campground nearby (relatively ?) as well. For non campers the STEENS MOUNTAIN resort outside of Frenchglen is & hopefully still is a nice alternative with several trailers for accommodations. I did. try swimming in WILDHORSE lake for a few moments but it proved too cold for extended exposure. The trail down to the lake from the summit parking lot to the lake warrants caution but is just under a 1 mile descent. The walk up to the highest point from the summit parking lot takes about 10-15 minutes.

[@AbouttheJourney]

Thanks! it's an incredibly beautiful place. I can hardly wait to go back. The road past the summit was in great shape and I'd say even better due to it seeing less use. It looks like they have brought it up to grade like the road from French Glenn. I did a quick drive through of the Fish Lake campground, but it was full, so I headed up to where I camped in the video. The next time I'm out there, I'm definitely going to hike down to Wild Horse Lake, but I'll probably skip the cold swim...😬 Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@MissEllaReads]

Wow, beautiful! I definitely need to go there!

[@AbouttheJourney]

Yes, this place is beautiful! I'd highly recommend taking a trip up there sometime, particularly in mid summer during the July wildflower season. Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@ytubechannel997]

Incredible topography with some great views. Thanks for sharing.

[@AbouttheJourney]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Steens Mountains is a great place to explore. It's absolutely beautiful from the top. There is a lot of great camping to be had and the gorges are fantastic! Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@waynekraft7591]

Great video. I like to reverse the Steens Loop, starting from the south entrance. That way you are herded uphill during the steepest and most challenging part of the drive. Less brake tapping.

[@AbouttheJourney]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Going up from the south entrance is definitely easier on the brakes. I was heading back from Seattle so the north entrance was more convenient. Great drive all around though. I really like Steens mountain. Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@johnculbertson1963]

Wish you could have the time to show Fish Lake {campground}, its a beautiful area. I guess you cannot be everywhere.

[@AbouttheJourney]

I did stop by to look at the camping options, but it was full so I camped elsewhere. It's really beautiful and I probably should have taken some footage. I guess I'll just have to go back... Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic thumbnail my friend, this looks simply amazing! Shots are so nicely composed!

[@AbouttheJourney]

Thanks! Thumbnails are important! This is a fantastic place to explore, I highly recommend it.

[@JimHawkins1]

Nice. Thanks for sharing . I've been up there twice on quick drive through, but now you've inspired me to stop and do some camping. Wild horse lake looks like a fantastic destination.

[@AbouttheJourney]

I did a quick drive through the week before I filmed and had to come back and spend more time taking it all in. It's quite a place. There are a lot of great campsites, like the one that I stayed at. Wild Horse Lake was very beautiful from above. If I can make it out there this summer, I'm going to hike down to the lake and spend a night or two. Thanks for watching! ~ Mike

[@lhender]

Malheur NWR

[@AbouttheJourney]

I went through the wildlife refuge too. It's a beautiful area. Thanks for watching.