Steens Mountain Outdoor Manners Keep a clean camp. Leave the land cleaner than Recreation you found it. Lands Deposit all trash and litter in covered garbage can. Better yet, pack it out. Sink water may be drained at developed sites, but toilet holding Oregon tanks must be emptied at a commercial facility. Bring cooking fuel with you; cut no trees.

Protect public and private property and report vandals.

Drive only on the roads so as not to leave ruts or damage fragile vegetation.

Keep Oregon Green. Use your ashtray. Build fires only in designated areas. Report uncon­ trolled fires to BLM's Fire Control Office in Burns, phone 573-7208 or 573-7209.

Observe Oregon state hunting, fishing, and wildlife protection laws.

Handle firearms safely.

Enjoy and photograph petroglyphs and Indian artifacts, but leave them as they are. It is illegal to disturb them.

Camp only in designated sites (see other side).

Avoid rockrolling on the east face. It disturbs bighorns and may be dangerous to hikers and livestock in the gorges below.

A waterfall at the head of Little Blitzen River Fishing the Donner und Blitzen Autumn color in Big Indian Gorge

The Recreation Lands (refer to legend on map to cover painting), accessible only by foot, is stocked Aspen Belt—between 6,500 and 8,000 feet. This Be prepared before backpacking or hiking. Tell a (b) The entire Steens Mountain Loop Road is Steens Mountain delineate) consist of 147, 773 acres under the care Grazing Controlled with Lahontan cutthroat trout, an endangered includes groves of quaking aspen, small meadows, responsible person your destination and expected open approximately July 1 through October of the Bureau of Land Management, 41,577 acres species. Redband trout, species resembling rain­ and patches of sagebrush and mountain return time. If you become lost stop in time to 31. Some areas are permanently closed to all Steen Mountain Recreation Lands constitute an Ranchers, under permit, continue to graze cattle bow trout, is the native trout of Steens Mountain mahogany. Cross-country skiing and snowmobil­ improvise a shelter before nightfall so you can keep vehicle travel. Signs indicate closed or re­ of private lands, and 4,506 acres of State lands. The on the mountain. Sheep have been shifted to other unusual mountain retreat in Oregon's high desert Bureau of Land Management, charged with streams. ing are allowed with a permit from the Burns BLM warm and dry. Sudden drops in temperature are stricted roads and areas. Gates are installed country, 60 miles south of Burns, reached from areas. The Steens Mountain off-road vehicle District Office. Designated roads are open from common here. at Page Springs, Whorehouse Meadows, administration of the mountain, plans to keep it in Recreational use has grown rapidly since the Oregon State Highway 205. its present state and avoid, as much as possible, designation affects access and vehicles during the July 1 to October 31. Keep your children close at hand, particularly Blitzen Crossing, and Black Canyon. It may Steens Mountain Road was opened in 1962. Soils various hunting and angling seasons. Hunting and be necessary to move gates or add more at disrupting the mountain's natural environment. and vegetation of the mountain are quite fragile and Alpine Bunchgrass Belt—above 8,000 feet. This is around viewpoints with dropoffs and strong wind Steens Mountain, often called "The Steens" for angling seasons and limits are established by the the high country with wildflowers, open meadows, currents. other locations. The gates are opened when short, is a 30-mile-long fault block, thrust a mile particularly susceptible to off-road vehicle damage. Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission, P.O. Box the roads can be used without damaging The Bureau of Land Management asks visitors to glaciated valleys, other geological features, and Hanging ice cliffs or cornices present potential upward 15 million years ago when layers of basalt 3505, Portland, OR 97208 (506 S.W. Mill St., lakes. Soils and vegetation are extremely fragile. danger in winter. You can break through when them. gave way under the terrible pressures caused by cooperate with vehicle regulations established to telephone (503) 229-5403). Regulations may be Military, Ranchers protect the natural land values. Precipitation is scant and the growing season is walking on top of them. If you are below them, tons Black Canyon Gate — open May 1 to the earth's cooling and contracting. The tilting of obtained from that agency or from license agents in short, so any ground disturbances heal quite of snow and ice can crash down on you. October 31 the fault block to the west resulted in a rugged Steens Mountain Recreation Lands were Figure in History most Oregon communities. slowly. This area has the most restrictive vehicle The Steens Mountain Road is a seasonal drive Page Springs Gate — open June 15 to eastern face rising to the escarpment at 9,773 feet, dedicated on July 16, 1971. The Bureau of Land Northwest of Steens Mountain is the Malheur Management, through land exchanges, added key regulations. Designated roads are open from July 1 that can become hazardous in stormy weather. October 31 one vertical mile above the Alvord Desert in a National Wildlife Refuge. Information may be to October 31. Snowmobiling is not permitted The closest commercial services are 90 miles horizontal distance of approximately three miles. In 1860, Major Enoch Steen was sent by the U.S. mountain sites to federal ownership. Whorehouse Meadows Gate — open July 1 Army to protect the settlers from Indians and to obtained from the Refuge Manager, P.O. Box 113, because of dangerous snow conditions. distant in Burns, although some groceries and Burns, OR 97220. Telephone (503) 493-2323. gasoline are available at Frenchglen. to October 31 Then, 14 million years later, glaciers carved the determine feasibility of a road from southeastern Blitzen Crossing — open July 1 to October 31 mountain, moving down the Blitzen, Wildhorse, Oregon to the Willamette Valley. His party named Kiger and Indian Creek valleys, resulting in the many prominent topographic features, including Wildlife Additional information can be obtained at the present U-shaped gorges. Complete erosion took Steens Mountain where they pursued a band of Provides Interest History is Living Driving is Controlled main access points. place at one location between the western and Indians. Several military posts were established in All East Face roads are open from May 1 to Vegetation is Varied Cultural features include historic sites, archeo- eastern faces. This big "nick," called Kiger Gap, is the vicinity, but most were abandoned by 1869. Bighorn sheep, once native to the area, have The season of use on Steens Mountain is short December 31 with the exception of the Pike northeast of Kiger Viewpoint. Peter French trailed 1,200 head of cattle from been re-established on the rugged east face of the logical sites, and other man-made features. A Four general belts, distinguished by elevation, because of early heavy snowfall, impassable snow- Creek road to the Weston Brothers Mine which California to the Blitzen Valley in 1872 and set up Steens by the Oregon Department of Fish & number of old homestead cabins and ranch are open yearlong. soils, and topography, are found in the Steens buildings dot the area. The cabins, often built of pack and wet weather in the spring, and the heed to The rugged eastern face of the Steens contrasts an empire covering the western side of Steens Wildlife. Pronghorn antelope use the lower slopes, limit mule deer disturbance on their winter range. (c) Travel into the area during the closure period Mountain and all the surrounding valleys. His head­ while mule deer use most of the area. Mountain area. Recreational use restraints on each native materials, have considerable historic with the gentle western slope that gradually belt are established to protect the land and its The Steens Mountain Recreation Lands were by snow vehicle, helicopter, and other descends into the Blitzen and Catlow valleys. quarters was the P Ranch east of Frenchglen, now Game birds on the mountain include sage interest. There is evidence of Indian and early resources. Certain roads and areas are closed (see military occupation. Artifacts and other objects of designated for off-road vehicle management with motorized vehicle may be authorized by the on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Mean­ grouse, valley quail, mourning dove, and chukar regulations becoming effective on September District Manager when he/she deems it The Steens climate is semi-arid, characterized while, on the eastern side of the mountain, in the partridge. The chukar, an import from Asia, map) to both standard road vehicles and off-road scientific importance are protected from distur­ vehicles during some periods. Opening dates are bance by Federal and State laws. They may not be 30,1980. Portions of the Steens Mountain road are necessary for official purposes to save and by moderate summers and cold winters. Most of Alvord Desert, John Devine set up another empire, inhabits the steep, dry, rocky areas of the Steens. established for roads and areas where vehicle use is closed by locked gates (see map) at various times protect life, property and natural resources the moisture falls as snow during the winter. centered on the Alvord Ranch which is still Other Steens wildlife are coyotes, bobcats, collected or disturbed on public lands by private permitted, but they may vary with weather citizens. of the year. Opening dates may vary, depending as well as to allow recreation use. Access Access to the higher elevations is usually limited to operating. mountain lions, yellow-bellied marmots, and black- conditions. upon weather and road conditions. Current into the area by ranchers and other private mid-July through late October because of the By 1901, severe overgrazing was apparent. Over tailed jackrabbits. Beavers work the streams. information on opening dates may be obtained landowners will be authorized by the Dis­ heavy snowpack. 100,000 sheep and cattle grazed the mountain. At Golden eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and many Sagebrush Belt—below 5,500 feet. This is an from BLM's Burns District Office. trict Manager for legitimate business pur­ that time, public land was open to grazing use by species of songbirds are seen at various seasons. But There Are Hazards Here is an overview of the regulations: poses if road conditions permit motorized In summer, the higher elevations are quite local ranchers or itinerant sheepmen. These The alpine bunchgrass area on top of the Steens is important winter range for mule deer; therefore, snowmobiling is not allowed. (a) The area is closed to motorized vehicle travel travel. Access will be allowed to and from comfortable and a welcome change from the hot sheepmen, predominately Basque and Irish, an excellent place to watch birds of prey during the You can expect sudden severe storms at any from approximately November through lower contry. However, because of the high operation of mining-related activities accord­ contributed to a colorful chapter in the history of summer. They soar and glide on thermals, dipping time. July snowstorms are not uncommon. And June 30 (this is subject to weather condi­ ing to applicable laws, regulations, and elevation, severe thunderstorms accompanied by 17 3 the Steens. low over the road at times. Juniper Belt—between 5,500 and 6,500 feet. Most summer lightning storms can develop suddenly. tions) to prevent damage to the environment Department of the Interior policy. PERM " lightning, wind, and hail or snow are quite common. The 1934 passage of the Taylor Grazing Act, Fish Lake and the Lower Donner and Blitzen of this country is rocky, with steep rim-rocked The East Rim and Wildhorse Lake are especially and road system, stress to wildlife, and for Many visitors have found it necessary to retreat to MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THEDURNS which regulates grazing on public lands, was one of River below Page Springs diversion are stocked canyons generally inaccessible to motor vehicles. lightning-prone. During storms avoid high points, public safety. ALSO NOTE: Vehicle travel is DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE ENTERING lower elevations for protective cover when a storm the factors ending nomadic sheep grazing on the with rainbow trout. Brook trout, too, have been Designated roads are open from June 15 to trees, and any terrain elevated above the allowed on open roads and trails. Cross­ approaches. THE AREA DURING THE CLOSURE lands. introduced into Fish Lake. Wildhorse Lake (see October 31. surrounding area. country vehicle travel is not permitted. PERIOD.

Cattle grazing in a Steens Mountain meadow

Resource Conservation

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their devel­ opment is in the best interest of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. administration.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management—Burns District 74 South Alvord Street Burns, Oregon 97720 Phone (503) 57.3-9.071 Backpackers in Little Indian Gorge in July Kiger GOT Pronghorn antelope The east face of Steens Mountain