Steens Mountain Loop Road — Frenchglen to Alvord Desert

Steens Mountain is a fault-block range that rises nearly a mile above the Alvord Desert floor in southeast Oregon — abruptly, dramatically, like the earth couldn’t be bothered with subtlety. The loop road climbs from the ranching outpost of Frenchglen through a series of glacially carved gorges — Kiger, Blitzen, Little Blitzen — and tops out at nearly 9,773 feet on the east rim, where you look straight down 5,000 feet onto the blinding white playa below. Wild horses still run these slopes; Kiger Mustangs are descended from Spanish stock and are routinely spotted along the road. The summit views are flat-out staggering.

The gravel and dirt road is suitable for a stock 4WD high-clearance rig, but the upper section gets rocky and rutted. The true Alvord Desert playa below is best accessed from Fields, Oregon — a two-building town with a famous burger and gas. No permits required but the summit road is typically only open late June through October depending on snowpack; call the BLM Burns District before you go. Carry water — none available on the mountain. Cell service disappears past Frenchglen and doesn’t come back. Plan an overnight at Page Springs Campground to split the loop properly.