Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

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ghcoe
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

Renodemona wrote:I've got a 5 gallon Jerry Can. Should I grab another before this trip?
It would not hurt. My last known fuel stop before Fields, Oregon is Jordan Valley Oregon, with a distance of 124 miles. Not sure which route you plan on taking, but from what I can tell it looks like Winnemucca, Nevada would be the last known fuel stop with a distance to Fields, Oregon of 121 miles.

A circumnavigate of the Steens with no side trips is nearly 200 miles with no close in known fuel stops except for Narrow's, Oregon, which is a bit out of the way, but doable. Frenchglen, Oregon is hit or miss it seems. Narrow's prices are still high, but probably not as high as Fields, from what I can figure out online. Seems this whole area is nearly gas free and they can ask what prices they want.

I hope to have my auxiliary tank installed before this trip that will give me a extra 25 gallons and then the jerry for another 5. That would be almost enough to go from Jordan Valley to Fields, circumnavigate the Steens and back to Jordan Valley.

Anyway let me know if we need to make a fuel stop in Narrow's. Might have to do some backtracking, but better than no gas. Remember that there will be some side trips as well as the Steens loop.
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Renodemona
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

Orvada has a card lock Shell Station but I will put another can on the do buy list. If Fields has gas I can top everything off there even if its spendy. Minor expense in the overall scheme of things. ;)
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by rainman »

We went up to the top of Steens back in July "on the way" to Ouray. Really enjoyed the area. We just did a day trip from/to Burns (plenty of reasonable gas there) and used most of one tank with no side trips.

I'll put this trip on my calendar but I can't commit this far out.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

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rainman wrote:We went up to the top of Steens back in July "on the way" to Ouray. Really enjoyed the area. We just did a day trip from/to Burns (plenty of reasonable gas there) and used most of one tank with no side trips.

I'll put this trip on my calendar but I can't commit this far out.
Sounds good. Hope you can make it.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

rainman wrote:We went up to the top of Steens back in July "on the way" to Ouray. Really enjoyed the area. We just did a day trip from/to Burns (plenty of reasonable gas there) and used most of one tank with no side trips.

I'll put this trip on my calendar but I can't commit this far out.
Awesome! Would be great to see everyone again, been too long!
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by shortbus4x4 »

Made any progress planning this trip?
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

Other than finishing some big improvements on my rig...not really...but still plenty of time and I'm just a participant ;)
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1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

I have not forgotten. Still planning on meeting in Fields Oregon and making a loop.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by shortbus4x4 »

ghcoe wrote:I have not forgotten. Still planning on meeting in Fields Oregon and making a loop.
Friday morning? Do the loop Friday and Saturday and leave Sunday morning for home?
I need to put my time off request in soon.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

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The 4th is a Thursday. I was thinking of meeting in Fields Thursday Afternoon and spending the first night on or near the Alvord Desert, driving the loop Friday, Saturday and then heading home Sunday morning.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

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Been working on a route today.

Day 1 Thursday 4th: Since everyone will be driving in Thursday I am thinking a short trip to look at Borax Hot Springs and then the Alvord Fort site (as best as I can tell). Then over to the Alvord Desert to spend the first night. Alvord Hot Springs is in the area if anyone is interested in a soak in the evening. I believe it is a pay area now.

Day 2 Friday 5th: A full day of travel to check out a few sites in the area. Mickey Hot Springs. Interesting, but again too hot to get in. Alberson Station (ruins), Tudor Barn (ruins), Folly Farm (ruins), and Malheur Cave. Then over to the Narrows for another fuel stop and lunch, if we make it in time. After fueling up the plan is to head south to Diamond Craters, Pete French Round Barn, Diamond (town) and then to Frenchglen area for Saturday night. There are two campgrounds in the area. Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort and Page Spring Campground. The resort is a pay site, I am not sure about the campground.

Day 3 Saturday 6th: Travel the Steens Mountain Loop and head back towards Fields. There are a couple of sites I would like to hit if time permits on the way. Probably another night on the Alvord.

Day 4 Sunday 7th: Say our goodbyes and head home.

Notes: Day two is a pretty ambitious day. If I feel we are running out of time I will delete the Craters, barn, Diamond loop to get us back on track.
Total mileage of the loop from Fields to Fields is 345 miles. From Fields to the Narrows is 160 miles and from the Narrows to Fields is 186 miles so plan fuel around these numbers. These are the only two dependable stations to fuel up in the area. Frenchglen is said to have fuel from time to time, but is iffy.
The Fields-Denio Road is know to be hard on tires. Street tires are not recommended on this road.
The Fields-Denio Road, Diamond Crater Road and the Steens Mountain Loop Road are the only portions of the trip that will have long durations of travel on dirt. There are a few side trips that will be short sections of dirt.
Gas is getting expensive and it will probably be even more expensive at the Narrows and Fields.

Ok. Hope this is informative enough to help you out with your planning. This is not set in concrete so if anyone has ideas or questions feel free to ask. See you on the trails George.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

I like it though would prefer the resort for friday night especially with the kiddos and a bit late arrival possible. Side note, is there a rotopax mount that fits on the defender roof rack or do I get to weld?
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

The resort and the campground are fairly close to each other. I think people can make a choice of wallet impact at the location. We could designate a community location for those who want to get together after everything settles down for the evening.

Not sure on the Rotopax. I hope to have my 27 gallon aux tank in by then. Working on it right now.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

OK that would work for be. I'm assuming there will be cell coverage there at least by the camping places to coordinate if need be.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

Not sure on the cell service. I do have a CB and probably will have my HAM with me.

Here is accommodations information for the Steens Mountain Wilderness Mountain Resort, which includes pricing. http://steensmountainresort.com/accommodations.html
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

Yes we were looking at one of the cabins so if we get in late can just have the kids crash out without melting down trying to set up anything haha
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

Have you Steen it! Oct 4-7, 2018

Just reviving this thread so people can get ready. I did make a small change at the end. Instead of camping again on the Alvord Saturday night I chose Bog Hot spring. A bit farther drive back for me, but I missed it last time there and not sure when I will get back. I was told it is a great spring and not to miss it last time I was through 15 years ago. Totally forgot about it till I saw it on the map doing updates.

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

SW Idaho Overlanding is making a trip to the Alvord/Steens area in South Central Oregon Oct 4-7, 2018.

Day 1 Thursday 4th: Since everyone will be driving in Thursday I am thinking a short trip to look at Borax Hot Springs and then the Alvord Fort site (as best as I can tell). Then over to the Alvord Desert to spend the first night. Alvord Hot Springs is in the area if anyone is interested in a soak in the evening. I believe it is a pay area now.

Day 2 Friday 5th: A full day of travel to check out a few sites in the area. Mickey Hot Springs. Interesting, but again too hot to get in. Alberson Station (ruins), Tudor Barn (ruins), Folly Farm (ruins), and Malheur Cave. Then over to the Narrows for another fuel stop and lunch, if we make it in time. After fueling up the plan is to head south to Diamond Craters, Pete French Round Barn, Diamond (town) and then to Frenchglen area for Saturday night. There are two campgrounds in the area. Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort and Page Spring Campground. The resort is a pay site, I am not sure about the campground.

Day 3 Saturday 6th: Travel the Steens Mountain Loop and head back towards Fields. There are a couple of sites I would like to hit if time permits on the way. I am now planning to spend the night at Bog Hot Springs, east of Denio Junction. It is about 38 miles from Fields by road.

Day 4 Sunday 7th: Say our goodbyes and head home.

Notes:
-Day two is a pretty ambitious day. If I feel we are running out of time I will delete the Craters, barn, Diamond loop to get us back on track.
-Total mileage of the loop from Fields to Fields is 345 miles. -From Fields to the Narrows is 160 miles
-From the Narrows to Fields is 186 miles
-From Fields to Bog Hot Spring is 38 miles
-Plan fuel around these numbers.
-The Narrows and Fields are the only two dependable stations to fuel up in the area.
-Frenchglen is said to have fuel from time to time, but is iffy.
-Denio Junction is said to have fuel now. Not confirmed.
-The Fields-Denio Road is know to be hard on tires. Street tires are not recommended on this road.
-The Fields-Denio Road, Diamond Crater Road and the Steens Mountain Loop Road are the only portions of the trip that will have long durations of travel on dirt.
-There are a few side trips that will be short sections of dirt.
-Gas is getting expensive and it will probably be even more expensive at the Narrows and Fields.

Ok. Hope this is informative enough to help you out with your planning. This is not set in concrete so if anyone has ideas or questions feel free to ask.

This is not a guided tour and all who attend are ultimately responsible for their own safety. I am not responsible for damage, injury and or death. You partake under your own free will knowing the dangers of such activities.

See you on the trails George.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by ghcoe »

This trip is 3 weeks out. I have 3 probably and 2 maybes coming in with me and 1 coming in from Portland. No FSJ but myself though.

A couple of things have changed though. Might not be able to stop at Malhure Cave. It has been brought to my attention that it is on private land and you need permission to visit. Been working on it, but no luck so far. Also, the last night camping has been moved to Bog Hot Springs and if we have time we plan a side excursion to a B-24 crash site on the last day as well.

More info at these locations.

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/ ... 18.197058/

Starts about 2/3 down. https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/ ... 36/page-46

See you on the trails. George.
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shortbus4x4
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by shortbus4x4 »

I'm planning on being there in my JK. My M715 is still under construction.
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Re: Mountain meets Pacific Alvord/Steens Oct 4-7, 2018

Post by Renodemona »

I will not be able to make it sadly with the new job I cant take any time off until the spring. Plus I'm having awesome fuel issues anyway so maybe it's for the best? Please have fun and cant wait to see the video!
"Wait, what's on fire!?" KJ7TCT
--------------------------------------------------------------
1976 Cherokee w/t 'Susan' 401/TH400/QT(PT)
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-------------------------------------------------------------
2018 Cherokee Trailhawk V6 'Sedna'
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