Steens Mountain

As we were leaving Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, we ran into Claude again who was coming back from his fishing trip and was on his way to soak in the hot springs.

We drove 68 miles to Fish Lake Campground, a BLM campground in the Steens Mountain -- most of it on gravel roads, stopping at Steens Mountain Resort to dump and purchase a 3-day fishing license for Earl.

Like Hart Mountain, Steens Mountain is a 30-mile long fault block mountain...it's the largest fault block mountain in the Great Basin. The western side has a gradual slope to it...while you know you're going uphill, it is not a steep grade. However, the eastern side of the mountain rises a mile above the Alvord Desert!

If you're interested in geology, there's a great book on the geology and natural history of Oregon: "In Search of Ancient Oregon, a Geological and Natural History" by Ellen Morris Bishop. It is written for the lay person, and is quite well done. I highly recommend it.