Steens Mountain, Day 3

We drove into Frenchglen to have breakfast at the Frenchglen Hotel (Claude had told us about the great blueberry pancakes and sausages they had for breakfast...he was right!). After breakfast, we decided to take the Steens Mountain Loop Road. The last time we'd visited the Steens Mountain (in 1996 or 1997), it had been in early May and the South Loop was still closed due to snow. The South Steens Loop is fine until just past the South Steens Campground -- then it turns to a rocky goat trail (which none of the maps we have indicated)! While it might not necessarily be a 4-wheel drive road, it does require a vehicle with high clearance. Anyway, we made the entire trip around the loop (the road becomes a nice gravel road again near the top), and the views were fantastic!


Anyone know what this mystery insect is? We're assuming some type of moth, but have no idea. It was interesting to watch it as it fed off the flowers with a long...tongue?...that stretched down into the flower, and then curled up to it's mouth. (We later learned that it is a White-Lined Sphinx Moth, sometimes known as a Striped Morning Sphinx Moth.)



Kiger Gorge from the Kiger Gorge Overlook









Looking down to the Alvord Desert from the East Rim Overlook (white area is a dry lake)







Big Indian Gorge from Big Indian Gorge Overlook.