Central and SE Oregon Road Trip…
This was a father son road trip, covering 1,120 miles, eight nights, through central and SE Oregon. To make it a bit more adventurous, we took the van. We started the trip in Oakridge, and headed towards the Steens Mountain. Our first night was spent this side or Riley, up an old road and parked under an abandoned windmill. The next day we made it to Page Springs campground, near Frenchglen, the base of the Steens Mountain. The next day we set off on the drive up to the summit of Steens Mountain. Along the way we stopped at several overlooks to take in the views of both the east side and the west side of the mountain. Incredible views!! We did the short walk up the service road to tag the summit (9733’). After the long day of driving the gravel road, we camped another night at Page Springs CG. The next morning, we headed south to Fields…for a mid-morning, world famous milkshake, at the Fields Station (gas station store). Yum, great treat. After our milkshake and topping off the gas tank, we headed north to the Borax hot spring area. We parked the van and walked the long line of natural hot springs, starting with Borax Lake, a lake with warm water. Then along the line of hot springs, which most were too hot to touch. At the end of the line there are two springs that some will soak in…not this time of year though, outside air is too warm for a soak in the hot springs. After exploring the hot springs, we made our way to the Alvord Desert, specifically the Playa, a large flat dried lake bed. It’s always fun to take the vehicle on the playa. Wide open, very flat, dusty as hell, surface. We drove about 6 miles in a NE direction and didn’t even get close to the other side. We camped here for the night. We had a beautiful sunset. The next morning, we left the playa, and drove the gravel road north to the Pike Creek trailhead. I haven’t on the trail for about ten years. Pretty nice trail up the canyon. Only saw a couple of other hikers. After the hike we headed back to the playa for another night. The next morning, we headed NNE to the Owyhee River via Leslie Gulch. We secured a camp spot at the Slocum Creek campground. Still had some time left in the day, so we did a short cross-country thrash up one canyon and down another canyon back to camp. Rain came in so we hunkered down and drank some beers…. The next day we planned on doing a couple of hikes, but the rain never stopped, so we moved on and drove the Succor Creek canyon road north, then headed west to the Owyhee River, where we turned south to the Owyee River Dam. We ended up getting an RV spot at the state park campground…where there were warm showers and flush toilets 😊. The next morning, we started to make our way back home, making it all the way to the little town of Fort Rock. Along the way we stopped and explored Crack in the Ground, a fun scramble through a deep crack in the ground. That night we found a spot to camp in the National Forest. The next morning, we stopped at the Fort Rock state park. We spent a few hours scrambling the rim of Fort Rock. After that we drove the rest of the way back to Oakridge.
My son Brandon had never seen the places we went. It was fun sharing these places that I’ve been to several times.
Heading south through central Oregon, wildfires filled the sky with smoke… These were the Firestone and Flat Top fires.
First nights camp, this side of Riley, OR.
After driving through the small town of French Glen, we stopped at the historic P Ranch to have a look at the Long Barn…
Night two and three, Page Springs Campground. We will spend two nights here.
Making the long gravel road drive to the top of Steens Mountain, we stopped at the Kiger Gorge overlook. I’d like to do that ridge in the distance…
Nearing the summit, we stopped to have a look out to the east, at the Alvord Desert, about 6000′ below…
And off to the west…
After a short walk, we arrive at the summit of Steens Mountain (9733′)
Looking down at Wildhorse Lake, and Wildhorse Canyon beyond.
We ate pretty good that night…
The next day we made our way over to the Alvord Desert, stopping to have a look at the Borax Hot Springs.
Borax Lake, a large body of warm water…
…and a mile long line of hot springs.
Some so hot you can’t touch them.
Looking at Alvord Peak. Too warm today to climb…
Our little hike to explore the Borax Hot Springs.
Night four, out on the playa.
Our 6-mile tracks to the middle of the playa…
Sunset on the playa…
The next morning we hiked Pike Creek. This is the trailhead…
The mountains are alive and watching…
Looking back down the drainage, you can see the Alvord Desert…
Can you see the mine opening?
That evening the smoke and clouds moved in…
In the morning this guy sped past the van… Fun to watch…
Next stop…Slocum Creek Campground. It’s right at the Owyhee River, at the end of Leslie Gulch.
Looking at the south end of the Owyhee Lake reservoir.
The long boat ramp…
Before the rains started, we took a short cross-country scramble up this canyon…
…and down another, back to camp.
This is why we won’t stay another night…We’ll move on to the north.
The next morning we drive back out Leslie Gulch…
That afternoon we arrived at the McCormack Campground, part of the Lake Owyhee State Park.
Nice spot, before heading back west, towards home…
On our way back, we stopped to explore the Crack in the Ground…
Lots of fun scrambling…
Last night out, in the National Forest.
We’ll stop at Fort Rock…looks like it may be a bit smoky…
Actually the smoke wasn’t too bad this morning…
So we stayed and scrambled around on the rock for a couple of hours…
Most of the smoke was coming from these wildfires, the Flat Top fire…
Our road trip track. The yellow dots where we camped…
So nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out that way. Makes me want to get back out there.