Steel Oats

250 mile bikepacking trip through the most remote region of the lower 48. Pedaling over the Steens mtns, Trout Creek mtns, and the Alvord desert. Sun burnt to a crisp, we camped with a bunch of folks on the Alvord Playa and saw a pretty wild fireworks show, too many rattle snacks were spotted, and hot spring refreshment were abound just about every other night. My first extended trip through the desert and it was abound with fucking amazing views and experiences. 

Day 6: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

-70+ miles on pavement in 98 degree heat. Pain cave. 

-Heat stroke sucks in the desert

-Cattle herding in the middle of the highway is fun.

-Steens Mtn is a whole different world. GET THERE

-SE corner pocket of Oregon is the most wild and remote area I have ever visited in North America. Beats AK.

-Bicycles are a rad tool to travel up / over / through / and carry just about anywhere.

Day 5: Monday, May 30th, 2016

-Passed abandoned  ranch and tried to check it out. But a cliff separated us from the desolate old home.

-Another day of climbing but this time in the far reaches of the Trout Creek Mountains.

Day 4: Sunday, May 29th, 2016

-Bike pushing through the Big Sand Gap for 5+ miles. 

-Snakes of any size and color are spooky when they slither by your face as you bend down to a fallen granola bar off the desert floor.

-Navigating swampy sage brush areas by bunny hopping creeks and mud pits fully loaded.

-Camped / bathed in the Willow Creek hot springs among the birds and rattlesnakes. 

-Met fellow Portland folks camping at Willow and shared some chili veggie mix with them.

Day 3: Saturday, May 28th, 2016

-Alvord Space Program a group of desert dwellers that set-up a DJ stand, food, firework show, yoga retreat, and some zany-ness overall.

-Slept in a hammock that was strung in a geometric dome.

-Sun burnt

-Nose is chapped, lips are chapped, dry desert air

-Watched Sam ride around in circles to charge his iPhone using the Luxo Dynamo set-up.

-Alvord playa is the weirdest place I have ever stepped foot on.

-Weirder than the Salt Flats around the Great Salt Lake.

-Water is a hot commodity.

Day 2: Friday, May 27th 2016

-Temps on the side of the road at night hit the low 40s.

-Sage brush makes your morning coffee routine smell better,

-Pedaled up and over the Steens Mtn for most of the day and it was way memorable.

-Kiger deer followed me and Sam for part of the day investigating us.

-Lunch was had on a little creek in the only valley with trees to provide shade.

-First time I sweated as we climbed up and over the 9,000 ft Steens mountain range that day.

-No bugs

-Snacks were plentiful in the type of Peanut M&Ms and Nuun tablets.

-The remoteness of the area started to kick in as we entered Steens and the two track itself had limited visible tracks.

-Made it to the Alvord Desert at dusk to set-up camp among some pals Sam knew were camping on the Playa.

-Kegs of beer in the middle of the desert is a weird welcoming yet never question said tasty bubbles of awesome.

250 mile bikepacking trip through the most remote region of the lower 48. Pedaling over the Steens mtns, Trout Creek mtns, and the Alvord desert. Sun burnt to a crisp, we camped with a bunch of folks on the Alvord Playa and saw a pretty wild fireworks show, too many rattle snacks were spotted, and hot spring refreshment were abound.

Day 1: Thursday, May 26th, 2016

-Car parked in French Glen, Or at a old hotel from the western days.

-Mosquitos were bad

-Sunshine was shining

-Planned on sleeping there a mile up the road from the French Glen Hotel.

-Decided last minute to pedal 52 miles past Diamond, Or to get up into the Steens Mtn region.

-Pedaling through two track roads in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge swamp lands.

-We occupied all roads dirt and pavement to our lonesome that night.

-Don’t stop mosquitos will pick you up and lift you off to their host colony.

-Whiskey fuel is best to kick energy up a few notches while spotting UFO’s in the desert.

Sam pedaling through the Timber country of Northern Oregon on our way to Veronia last weekend during a quick bikecamping trip from Portland. This region of the Tualatin Mtn range reminds me so much of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One of my favorite areas outside Portland by far, and you can pedal from your doorstep in the city and be in the wilderness within 14 miles. 

Route we took: