Steens Mountain Road Trip: The Alvord Desert to Frenchglen

This day, the 3rd of our recent romp through Eastern Oregon, offers a change of pace: no hiking! Instead, we took a spectacular road trip including 64 miles through the Alvord Desert on the east side of The Steens and a slight detour to drive and frolic on the playa. It was on this very playa that Jessica Combs, “The Fastest Woman on 4 Wheels”, set the women’s world land speed record at 522.783 mph in 2016. Sadly, she died here 3 years later attempting to break her own record.
After crossing the Alvord, we enjoyed a classic milkshake at Fields, then continued on to our favorite little town of Frenchglen, where we stayed and dined at the historic Frenchglen Hotel. To cap off this glorious day of May 10, we watched the Aurora Borealis flood the sky over Steens Mountain at midnight.
Our Google Maps route: maps.app.goo.gl/EUXsijvgecSdLswS8
Check out the two previous days' adventures on this road trip, in the remote and spectacular Owyhee Canyonlands:
The Oregon Desert Trail beginning at Lake Owyhee, • Owyhee Canyonlands & t...
And
A breathtaking drive and hike in Leslie Gulch, • The Owyhee Canyonlands...
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Buzz Blumm, passionate hiker & adventurer, coffee aficionado, Viet Nam vet, and now, octogenarian, started his KZbin channel at age 79, to share his never-ending thirst for new horizons and a great cup of coffee.
#alvorddesert #steens #frenchglen #blitzen coffee #oregonhiking #offthebeatentrack #easternoregon #octogenarian #roadtrip #oregon

[@BuzzinAlong]

Sounds like a great journey - love those cross-country trips

[@diannejames9213]

Great video and background music!Thanks for sharing!

[@BuzzinAlong]

Thanks for visiting. We went there again in August, this time with my daughter - check out WILDHORSE LAKE video. The Steens & French Glen - a special place like no other ...

[@billderinbaja3883]

I'm guessing you were there in early May... we were just there in late May, there was a little less snow. It was fun watching the cowboys on the cattle roundup, moving the herd to higher elevations. We stayed at Alvord Hot Spring for 2 days, drove around to French Glen and up Steens Loop from the south end. As you know, the road is blocked off up near the top... road cave ins. We hiked up the road all the way to where we saw down to the Alvord Desert on the east side of Steens. Phenomenal trip... saw wild horse herds, antelope by the dozen, wild burros, mule deer, geese, a bear... we are DEFINITELY going back.

[@BuzzinAlong]

Thanks for watching. Yes, early May {observed the northern lights as you saw on the video}, then again in August - stayed in the French Glen Hotel - sweet place. Along with Leslie Gulch, my favorite place in Oregon and the USA.

[@billderinbaja3883]

@@BuzzinAlong: When you were in the Steens, I was in northern British Columbia on a long & winding road trip from Boston to Baja Sur. The weather was overcast and drizzly and cold... with a clear sky the northern lights would have been spectacular... alas..😮‍💨

[@eprohoda]

Like it-you created awesome edition!later~ Buzzin'-😌

[@BuzzinAlong]

Thank you! 😄 thanks for watching.

[@DaleCrommie]

We were down there last month. Such a great place. 😊

[@BuzzinAlong]

It really is! It is stunning & massive - my favorite place in Oregon; and a sweet little village at the base - French Glen.