Steens Mountain is one of Oregon’s most spectacular natural areas and it is beautiful in the fall. Rising to almost ten thousand feet high in the southeast corner of the state it presides over alkali desert, oceans of sagebrush and the wildlife-rich marshlands of the Malheur Basin. From our base in historic Frenchglen we’ll spend three full days enjoying the birds and mammals of this diverse landscape.
Black Rosy-Finch, photo by inaweofgodscreation
Horned Lark, photo by Tara Lemezis
Page Springs, photo by Abby Vanleuven
Mountain Bluebird, photo by Scott Carpenter
Bighorn Sheep, photo by Dan Dzurisin
Golden Eagle, photo by Vic Schendel/USFWS
Fish Lake on Steens Mountain, photo by Tara Lemezis
The details of this trip will be finalized in mid-April. Please click below to inquire; this adds your name to our list of folks who are interested in this exciting journey to the Steens & Alvord Desert. We will be in touch with you in April!
InquireOn past trips we’ve seen approximately 80 species of birds including Townsend’s Solitaire, Mountain Bluebird, American Pipit, Horned Lark, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon. We search for and often spot Bighorn Sheep among the high peaks of the mountain, sometimes distant and sometimes near. Coyotes and Mule Deer are often sighted and you never know when a Porcupine is going to waddle into view. Conditions permitting we will venture out to Borax Lake, home of the unique and endangered Borax Lake Chub and we’ll visit the Alvord Desert.
Trip fees include all ground transportation, double-occupancy lodging, breakfast/lunch/non-alcoholic beverages/snacks, tips for meals/drivers/porters/local guides, trip materials, entrance fees, excursions, and the services of your skilled leader(s).
Trip fees do not include airfares, dinners, and alcoholic beverages.
Important info about lodging:
The trip fee is based on double occupancy. The rooms at the Frenchglen Hotel have just one double bed. If you do not want to share a bed you will need to request a single supplement. There is a single supplement fee of $200 if you are the sole occupant of the room. Also, bathrooms are located outside of the rooms.
Notes on Accessibility: Most of our birding on this trip will be from the vans, or on short walks on well-graded, level roads and trails. There are also several short hikes of less than 1 mile on uneven ground possible, and we will occasionally be walking at high elevation (over 8000′).
