High and Dry

16 miles of hiking • 4750' elevation gain • 1 night

I spent the weekend climbing at Smith Rock, but instead of heading back to Portland, I headed south to the Steens and the Alvord Desert. Camped the first night at Haystack Reservoir, then stayed two nights at the Alvord Hot Springs in a military bunker-what fun! The light in the desert this time of year is beautiful.

Did three hikes: 1) Little Blitzen Gorge in a snowstorm! Saw wild horses on the drive in. Aspen turning golden. 2) Pike Canyon-gorgeous canyon and headwall. Left the trail at 6000 ft and made it up to the Steens rim at 7900 feet. Nifty scrambling. Met a bighorn ram. 3) Borax Hotsprings-macabre place of ethereal beauty.

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