Yellowbear made it to Frenchglen and Steens Mountain last week. The trip was a partial success: rest and relaxation were accomplished; meeting new people was entertaining; riding on and near Steens Mtn. was fun. But getting to the top of Steens Mtn. was not to be. We were three days early and the snow was still being removed from the Loop Road at the top of the 9723 foot mountain. I guess another trip will have to occur.
BTW, the historic Frenchglen Hotel is wonderful - quaint, nice folks, great food. The Malheur Wildlife Refuge contains a lot more interesting stuff than one would think at first glance and it is huge. The campgrounds at Page Springs, Fish Lake and South Steens are excellent and cheap. Just be sure to bring lots of bug spray during bug season.
I particularly liked all the dirt road driving that exists in SE Oregon. From the Hart Mountain Antelope Preserve, to Steens Mountain north and south loop roads, to the East Steens Valley, all are wonderful smooth roads the way roads should be. Our return was via Denio and Highway 140 to 8a to Badger Pass Road to Soldier Meadows Road in northern Nevada. Again, more fun dirt roads, maybe 300 miles altogether. Of course it took me a day to wash the dust off and out of the truck and Yellowbear.
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| Warner Valley west of Hart Mountain: |
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| Gravel Roads Rule |
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| Hot spring at Hart Mountain Preserve |
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| Frenchglen Hotel, first built in 1918 |
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| South end of Steens Mountain, before the thunderstorm | | | | | |
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