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Mentalfloss
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Joined: 04 Apr 2002
Posts: 78 | TRs | Pics
Location: Portland
Mentalfloss
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PostMon May 20, 2002 11:59 am 
My wife and I spent a few days down in far south central Oregon at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Yeah, I know, this is a LONG way from Seattle, but there were quite a few people from Seattle there. We camped at Page Springs campground just outside of Frenchglen. It's along the Donner & Blitzen river at the mouth of a beautiful canyon well worth hiking into. There's water, trash pickup and pit toilets here. There are no restaurants or other such nearby. Frenchglen has maybe 10-15 residents and that's the biggest town for a 60 mile radius. This campground is very quiet, with large sites in a variety of setting. There are probably 25 or so sites. The refuge is a series of wetlands, streams, and shallow lakes with dike roads that allow good viewing. There's a very large spring and fall migration. The water comes from the snowmelt from Steens Mountain (9,760ft), a large fault-block at the northern edge of the Basin and Range. Hiking is primarily from the campground and includes rimrock trails as well as a canyon trail up a gradually deeping river canyon rimmed with basalts. Steens Mountain itself has some excellent and little-used gorge and rim trails. The view from the top is extraordinary and startling. There's little feeling of being up high until you step to the rim and look out across the salt-pan Alvord desert to the south. The Alvord desert has one of the great hot springs, at least to my mind. It's down a gravel road from the little intersection of Fields, Oregon. You'll drive along the base of Steens mtn. and it's easy to spot the hot spring off to the right after 25 dusty miles or so. You can free camp over on this side up many dirt roads. Bring lots of water. On a clear night the stars come down to the horizon on all sides. There are no human lights around. It's wonderful. The springs are on private property but are open to the public. There are two concrete pools, with seats. One is enclosed and the other isn't. There's a dressing area. There is nudity. I'll have photos up on my Web site within a week or so. As soon as I get unlazy.

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