Have you Steen it! Oct 4-7, 2018
SW Idaho Overlanding is making a trip to the Alvord/Steens area in South Central Oregon Oct 4-7, 2018.
Day 1 Thursday 4th: Since everyone will be driving in Thursday I am thinking a short trip to look at Borax Hot Springs and then the Alvord Fort site (as best as I can tell). Then over to the Alvord Desert to spend the first night. Alvord Hot Springs is in the area if anyone is interested in a soak in the evening. I believe it is a pay area now.
Day 2 Friday 5th: A full day of travel to check out a few sites in the area. Mickey Hot Springs. Interesting, but again too hot to get in. Alberson Station (ruins), Tudor Barn (ruins), Folly Farm (ruins), and Malheur Cave. Then over to the Narrows for another fuel stop and lunch, if we make it in time. After fueling up the plan is to head south to Diamond Craters, Pete French Round Barn, Diamond (town) and then to Frenchglen area for Saturday night. There are two campgrounds in the area. Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort and Page Spring Campground. The resort is a pay site, I am not sure about the campground.
Day 3 Saturday 6th: Travel the Steens Mountain Loop and head back towards Fields. There are a couple of sites I would like to hit if time permits on the way. I am now planning to spend the night at Bog Hot Springs, east of Denio Junction. It is about 38 miles from Fields by road.
Day 4 Sunday 7th: Say our goodbyes and head home.
Notes:
-Day two is a pretty ambitious day. If I feel we are running out of time I will delete the Craters, barn, Diamond loop to get us back on track.
-Total mileage of the loop from Fields to Fields is 345 miles. -From Fields to the Narrows is 160 miles
-From the Narrows to Fields is 186 miles
-From Fields to Bog Hot Spring is 38 miles
-Plan fuel around these numbers.
-The Narrows and Fields are the only two dependable stations to fuel up in the area.
-Frenchglen is said to have fuel from time to time, but is iffy.
-Denio Junction is said to have fuel now. Not confirmed.
-The Fields-Denio Road is know to be hard on tires. Street tires are not recommended on this road.
-The Fields-Denio Road, Diamond Crater Road and the Steens Mountain Loop Road are the only portions of the trip that will have long durations of travel on dirt.
-There are a few side trips that will be short sections of dirt.
-Gas is getting expensive and it will probably be even more expensive at the Narrows and Fields.
Ok. Hope this is informative enough to help you out with your planning. This is not set in concrete so if anyone has ideas or questions feel free to ask.
This is not a guided tour and all who attend are ultimately responsible for their own safety. I am not responsible for damage, injury and or death. You partake under your own free will knowing the dangers of such activities.
See you on the trails George.
SW Idaho Overlanding is making a trip to the Alvord/Steens area in South Central Oregon Oct 4-7, 2018.
Day 1 Thursday 4th: Since everyone will be driving in Thursday I am thinking a short trip to look at Borax Hot Springs and then the Alvord Fort site (as best as I can tell). Then over to the Alvord Desert to spend the first night. Alvord Hot Springs is in the area if anyone is interested in a soak in the evening. I believe it is a pay area now.
Day 2 Friday 5th: A full day of travel to check out a few sites in the area. Mickey Hot Springs. Interesting, but again too hot to get in. Alberson Station (ruins), Tudor Barn (ruins), Folly Farm (ruins), and Malheur Cave. Then over to the Narrows for another fuel stop and lunch, if we make it in time. After fueling up the plan is to head south to Diamond Craters, Pete French Round Barn, Diamond (town) and then to Frenchglen area for Saturday night. There are two campgrounds in the area. Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort and Page Spring Campground. The resort is a pay site, I am not sure about the campground.
Day 3 Saturday 6th: Travel the Steens Mountain Loop and head back towards Fields. There are a couple of sites I would like to hit if time permits on the way. I am now planning to spend the night at Bog Hot Springs, east of Denio Junction. It is about 38 miles from Fields by road.
Day 4 Sunday 7th: Say our goodbyes and head home.
Notes:
-Day two is a pretty ambitious day. If I feel we are running out of time I will delete the Craters, barn, Diamond loop to get us back on track.
-Total mileage of the loop from Fields to Fields is 345 miles. -From Fields to the Narrows is 160 miles
-From the Narrows to Fields is 186 miles
-From Fields to Bog Hot Spring is 38 miles
-Plan fuel around these numbers.
-The Narrows and Fields are the only two dependable stations to fuel up in the area.
-Frenchglen is said to have fuel from time to time, but is iffy.
-Denio Junction is said to have fuel now. Not confirmed.
-The Fields-Denio Road is know to be hard on tires. Street tires are not recommended on this road.
-The Fields-Denio Road, Diamond Crater Road and the Steens Mountain Loop Road are the only portions of the trip that will have long durations of travel on dirt.
-There are a few side trips that will be short sections of dirt.
-Gas is getting expensive and it will probably be even more expensive at the Narrows and Fields.
Ok. Hope this is informative enough to help you out with your planning. This is not set in concrete so if anyone has ideas or questions feel free to ask.
This is not a guided tour and all who attend are ultimately responsible for their own safety. I am not responsible for damage, injury and or death. You partake under your own free will knowing the dangers of such activities.
See you on the trails George.
