Oregon High Desert - Steens / Alvord Desert / Crane Mountain / Crater Lake

[Nikson]

Crane mountain

Crane Mountain
almost at 9000ft elevation (if I remember correct)

Fun road leading up to it, it dont believe its too treacherous, with good driving skill a family VAN can make it up there, but dont take my word for it.

Overlooking GOOSE LAKE

CLIFFHANGER

and plenty of WILDLIFE

.

On our way to Crater Lake...

 

[Nikson]

Crater lake

our last night's camp was set up right before South Entrance to the Crater Lake National Park. All campsites were full of people, as well as full of bears (from what I heard).

This is well close to actual sunset...

Canyon on the south side of the Crater Lake

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

RIM VILLAGE

Crater Lake
(Wizard Island)

Bluest Water & Bluest Sky...

 

[Nikson]

Crater lake

These guys were very friendly...

Water has that "Caribbean" look to it...

2 of the few "only" boats on the whole lake...

IT WAS GREAT...

 

[Nikson]

Love the Hart Mountain/ Steens area! My first trip up there was a few years back for grouse hunting. Return trip will be this summer for a 5ish day loop around Hart and Steens.

I've even made up a few of my own maps!

http://www.sonic.net/~dmed/MedeCart/Portfolio_B_files/HartNAR Full.jpg

http://www.sonic.net/~dmed/MedeCart/Portfolio_B_files/Steens Full.jpg

Something to consider for next trip as well...

Thanks

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

In-laws live in Bend. Hmmm...maybe a road trip to the east next time up. You've given me food for thought. :sombrero:

 

[Nikson]

In-laws live in Bend. Hmmm...maybe a road trip to the east next time up. You've given me food for thought. :sombrero:

There are plenty of things to see... some great scenery...

With the snow & all, I would check with BLM office for closures before heading out that way.

 

[Bill Beers]

What time of the year was this? Midsummer?

I drove through this area several years ago, toward the end of May. We camped at Page Springs, but could not drive the loop. There was still snow drifting at higher elevation, and BLM was in the process of evaluating conditions.

To echo what Paul was saying, if you go before July, it's best to call the BLM ahead of time to make sure the road to the top of the Steens is open. The folks there are super nice and have lots of addiontal info abou the Burns district.

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/recreation/

-Bill

 

[SWbySWesty]

WOW - great trip from the weekend! I'm glad to see the XJ getting the use it deserves!

Adding Crater Lake to my list to visit!

 

[Nikson]

WOW - great trip from the weekend! I'm glad to see the XJ getting the use it deserves!

Adding Crater Lake to my list to visit!

Definitely MUST SEE place...

(trip was in Aug, 2009 - you saw that, right!)