Harney County Part 1

Kiger Gorge in the Steens Mountains

Harney County is big.  You could probably 20 Rhode Islands in Harney County.  But why would you want to?  For the Naragansett Beer? 

We had 2 very good days in Harney so I will break it into 2 parts.

We arrived on a Friday night at a campground in the Steens Mountain.  The campground was at over 7,000 feet above sea level.  Coming from the west, it doesn't look like a mountain and it isn't looking like you are that high up.  It is sagebrush and juniper trees all over and then this campground, Fish Lake, is very lush and covered with aspen trees. 

Saturday we drove the Steens loop.  First stop is Kiger Gorge which is about 9,000 feet and pictured above.  It left us awestruck and maybe disappointed that we never came here before.  We hiked around and took some pictures of us on several overlooks that you wouldn't want to lose your balance or trip as it's a long way down.

Viewpoint looking east from the Steens with the Alvord Desert in the distance.

Next stop was an overlook that I understand is the highest road in Oregon.  Below were views of Mann Lake, a center pivot irrigated field and the impressive Alvord Desert.  To the west was Whitehorse Lake which is several thousand feet below and only accessible by hiking down.  We didn't but we'd like to next time.  Being that high does leave you short of breath without much effort.

The loop has a sketchy stretch that was a bit of a challenge and causes more than a few flats.  We felt lucky to get through unscathed.

Inside the round barn, that is round.  See?

Last stop was the Peter French Round Barn that was built in the 1800's to break wild horses.  The barn was round, as if you couldn't tell from the title.  Exterior was Juniper wood and the interior round wall was stone.  What a great design.  Interior room was a stable and the horses were broken in the exterior loop.  It was quite cool inside, so the stones made for a good heat sink.