Soldier Meadows NV north to the Steens Mtns mid Oct.

[slash2]

What might someone anticipate for weather conditions from Cedarville over to Massacre Ranch, down to High Rock Canyon and Soldier Meadows then up through Virgin Valley and on to The Steens Mtns in mid Oct?

Beyond "anything is possible", and hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, is it too late in the year to reasonably try to visit this area?

/2

 

[PaulT]

Several years ago, we camped at Fish Lake on Steens Mtn in late Sept/ early Oct. Weather was cold at night but we can deal with that.

The tough part was finding a campsite as the place had many empty parked trailers/campers holding spots for deer hunting season which starts Oct 5 this year. Rules say that you are supposed to personally occupy the site but only a couple of trailers showed signs of current activity. Be prepared to drive to another camping spot if needed, i.e. don’t arrive late in day.

Don’t know about the other spots you named.

Paul

 

[Dadocut]

Mr Slash: That sounds like a nice trip. I've been in the black rock desert in late September and the weather was nice enough. Rained a bunch too. I bet you'll have a great time. I've always wanted to get up to the Steens area but have yet to do it.

Note that Cedarville has a nice motel, the Surprise Valley Hot Springs. Each room has a private soaking tub. Really nice. The hot springs at Soldier Meadow made me itch!

Also, south of Cedarville is the Barrel Springs back country byway. Very pretty but I don't recall much in the way of dispersal camp sites.

 

[slash2]

Thanks for the replies! Even though I grew up in Idaho I had completely forgotten to factor in hunting season PaulT!
I appreciate the itch warning about the soldier Meadows Hot Springs Dadocut, we'll keep that in mind, and the Barrel Springs Back Country Byway may need checking out!

/2

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I just left Page Springs yesterday 9/20. During the week, campsites were available, but starting last Thursday afternoon, a number of campers arrived. By dark, the campground was full. In contrast, South Steens Campground was completely empty when we explored that area on Tuesday. We did not visit Fish Lake or Jackman Park.

Edit: per the camp host, we experienced 1.85” of rain over Sunday and Monday.

 

[goinoregon]

I just left Page Springs yesterday 9/20. During the week, campsites were available, but starting last Thursday afternoon, a number of campers arrived. By dark, the campground was full. In contrast, South Steens Campground was completely empty when we explored that area on Tuesday. We did not visit Fish Lake or Jackman Park.

Edit: per the camp host, we experienced 1.85” of rain over Sunday and Monday.

1.85" of rain !! holy cow. that seems like a bunch. hopefully the rain hit the dry forests also.

 

[Jack]

Left Paige Springs today, 22nd. Campground did not fill until at least after 6 pm. Weather in the area (Summer Lake OR, Paige Springs, Thacker Pass NV) has been 70s during day and mid 40s at night.

Consider Stevens Ranch, about 1/2 hour from Massacre Ranch, along the Applegate trail. If you get to Paige Springs, I highly recommend dinner at the Frenchglen Hotel (reserve a few days in advance for weekends), or at least the breakfast (no reservation). A unique experience and very reasonably priced. Check the reviews for the "ambiance." And of course, if you come through Fields OR, get the milkshake at Fields Station.

Benchmark maps has Stevens Ranch about 1/4 mile from where it is. Use Gaia, or even Google Maps.

 

[Smokecreek1]

I worked/played in that country for BLM for 50 or so years so make sure you call BLM at Lakeview, or Cederville or Burns, or the US Fish and Wildlife HQ office at Lakeview to get the latest area updates (you would hate to drive into a wild horse gathering or prescribed burn etc.,) and area maps (yes old fashioned paper USGS or area recreation maps (The Pacific Northwest Map series and those BLM area maps work just fine))-batteries can go dead in all these GPS type units and cell phones do not always work out there and you not want to be both lost and stuck with a bad weather front coming at you). Make sure u carry more food (we used to carry 1-2 weeks worth of MRE type of emergency food) than u think u need and plenty of getting "unstuck" gear. Remember dirt roads are great on the way in but like to turn into muddy quagmires by the time you head out. You can never carry enough water either so get a water purifier since most of the water out there is bad. Have fun and don't become a statistic and need to be rescued! If you are near Gerlack-get a meal or a drink at Brunos-best food in the desert!

Smoke

 

[slash2]

Left Paige Springs today, 22nd. Campground did not fill until at least after 6 pm. Weather in the area (Summer Lake OR, Paige Springs, Thacker Pass NV) has been 70s during day and mid 40s at night.

Consider Stevens Ranch, about 1/2 hour from Massacre Ranch, along the Applegate trail. If you get to Paige Springs, I highly recommend dinner at the Frenchglen Hotel (reserve a few days in advance for weekends), or at least the breakfast (no reservation). A unique experience and very reasonably priced. Check the reviews for the "ambiance." And of course, if you come through Fields OR, get the milkshake at Fields Station.

Benchmark maps has Stevens Ranch about 1/4 mile from where it is. Use Gaia, or even Google Maps.

Great info Jack, Yes, Stevens Camp is on the list provided the conditions are favorable and the milkshakes at Fields Station are a priority. I haven't eaten at the French Glen Hotel, might have to check that out too!

 

[slash2]

I worked/played in that country for BLM for 50 or so years so make sure you call BLM at Lakeview, or Cederville or Burns, or the US Fish and Wildlife HQ office at Lakeview to get the latest area updates (you would hate to drive into a wild horse gathering or prescribed burn etc.,) and area maps (yes old fashioned paper USGS or area recreation maps (The Pacific Northwest Map series and those BLM area maps work just fine))-batteries can go dead in all these GPS type units and cell phones do not always work out there and you not want to be both lost and stuck with a bad weather front coming at you). Make sure u carry more food (we used to carry 1-2 weeks worth of MRE type of emergency food) than u think u need and plenty of getting "unstuck" gear. Remember dirt roads are great on the way in but like to turn into muddy quagmires by the time you head out. You can never carry enough water either so get a water purifier since most of the water out there is bad. Have fun and don't become a statistic and need to be rescued! If you are near Gerlack-get a meal or a drink at Brunos-best food in the desert!

Smoke

Thanks Smoke!