Steens Mountain Summit — East Rim Fault Escarpment Viewpoint

Steens Mountain is the real deal. You drive the Steens Mountain Loop Road — the highest road in Oregon — to the East Rim viewpoint and look straight down a fault escarpment into the Alvord Desert playa. On a clear day you can see into Nevada and Idaho. The western slope is a gentle glacially carved rise; the eastern face drops like a wall. Kiger Gorge and Little Blitzen Gorge cut deep into the west flank — both worth a stop on the loop. This is high desert at its most dramatic.

The summit road is typically open July through October, snow-dependent. It’s a good gravel road to the top — high-clearance 2WD handles it in dry conditions, but 4WD is wise earlier in season. No services up top. Wind is relentless. Fuel up in Burns or Frenchglen before committing to the loop. Cell service: essentially none.

Oregon's highest road, sheerest drop.