{"id":6494,"date":"2020-03-21T18:08:10","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T01:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/?page_id=6494"},"modified":"2023-09-24T09:24:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T16:24:21","slug":"steens-traverse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/steens-traverse\/","title":{"rendered":"Steens Range Traverse"},"content":{"rendered":"S<\/span>teens Mountain is one of Oregon’s great scenic and geological wonders, a 30mi long fault-block with a spectacular and rugged east face that rises one vertical mile above the equally spectacular Alvord Desert<\/a>. Steens Mountain is the largest fault-block mountain in the northern Great Basin<\/a>. A 59mi (95km) loop road<\/a>, the highest road in Oregon, scales the mountain range and tops out at 9,734ft (2’967m). The Steens also offer some of the most impressive fall colors<\/a> and are home to the toughest 10k<\/a> in Oregon.\r\n

The Challenge<\/h4>\r\nThe (real, or long or North-South or South-North) Steens (Range) Traverse challenge consists of traversing the entire mountain range from North to South (or South to North) between OR-78, Steens Highway (43.10004, -118.23641<\/a>) and OR-205, the Higher Desert Discovery Scenic Byway\/Catlow Valley Rd<\/a>. (42.31616, -118.74916<\/a>) The approximately 75 mile long route entirely follows the fault-block’s rim, offers stunning views, is 100% off-trail, rugged, wild, slow, and unique in every aspect. The traverse can be completed on public (BLM and state) land only, although that involves a few “detours.” Please respect private land and ask for permission to pass if necessary.\r\n\r\nYou can start on either end and go either southwards or northwards.\r\n\r\nThe rim is rugged, exposed, and unforgiving. The weather can change quickly and dramatically as you climb toward the highpoint (9,734ft). It can snow in the middle of the summer. Help may be far away and water is hard to find. There are also several tricky technical sections. If you attempt this, do your homework and come prepared.\r\n

Some Maps<\/h4>\r\n
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The Steens Traverse seen from Alvord Desert.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Overview map of the Steens Traverse. You can of course go the opposite way if you desire too.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Overview of the Steens Mountain area. Map by BLM.<\/p><\/div>\r\n

GPS Data<\/h4>\r\nNone, you pick your own line.\r\n

Guidelines<\/h4>\r\n