Features
About this place
With scenic landscape views and some of the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states, this place is amazing. Solitude at it's finest.
Steens Mountain makes you feel like you are on top of the world. At nearly 10,000ft in elevation and not being well known, the Steens will make you to feel like you’re in a truly remote place. It offers a great view of the sunset and if you stay at night will offer the one best stargazing in all of the U.S. as Steens Mountain claims the darkest skies in all of the lower 48 states. It takes about 2hrs. to travel the 50 miles out and back with ~5000ft. of elevation gain.
Starting at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel make your way to Steens Mountain Loop and then onto Fishlake/Steens Mountain Rd. From there you will continue for about 22 miles to find yourself at Kiger Gorge Lookout. Most of the road to the mountain is graveled but well maintained. From Kiger Gorge, continue for 3 more miles to East Rim Overlook where you overlook the Alvord Desert from the highest point of the mountain. Follow along the loop to get back to your starting point.
Make sure you bring warm clothes because it gets cold on the mountain even when the valley below is scorching hot.
Leave No Trace
