Steens and other spring rambles (and floats

[Occidental]

I've not posted up much lately, mainly because most of our spring travels have been oriented towards river trips and not truck camping. We've had a pretty good spring with river trips to include the Deschutes, Owyhee, North Fork John Day, Lower John Day, and Grande Ronde. Most recently we were out in on the Steens Mountain for a few days truck camping, hiking and eventually hiding from the wind and rain. That trip report is posted here:
http://www.occidentalist.org/steens-mountain-2017/

If you have an interest in river trips with a truck camper start or end you can check out some of the other trip reports:
Owyhee (really, you should at least read this one): http://www.occidentalist.org/down-the-wild-owyhee-2017/
North Fork John Day: http://www.occidentalist.org/north-fork-john-day-2017/
Main John Day: http://www.occidentalist.org/lower-john-day-2017/

Also another truck camper trip to the coast of Oregon - Cape Lookout - here: http://www.occidentalist.org/cape-lookout-2017/

Still to come is a report on the trip down the Grande Ronde. But first we are headed to the big town of Spray Oregon for three more days of floating down the John Day, then I'll get caught up on blog posts, promise.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Great TR on the Steens. I've tramped up and down Big Indian Gorge many times, it's one of my favorite places. There seems to be an ample supply of 14" redside trout to catch and release. Before the South CG was there, we used to drive the road all the way back to the berm at Indian Creek.

You mentioned the gift shop at the Round Barn. Dick Jenkins is the owner, and it was his family that donated the barn to the state. Their family has been there for well over 100 years. I always try to stop in and talk with Dick every time we are in the area, he's an interesting individual.

I loved the blogs on the river trips. Your last year report on Birch Creek still has me wanting to get over there. That extreme SE corner of the state is high on my list of places to see.

Thanks again for the TR! Have fun on the rivers!

 

[Occidental]

Thanks Mr. Sage. I'll have to stop in and talk to Dick Jenkins next time I'm in the area of the round barn. I'll bet he has some stories to tell.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Thanks for a great trip report. My wife, in-laws, and I visiited early last summer with the intention of camping just outside Frenchglen but rented a "cabin" due to the relentless mosquitoes. Completed the loop days after opening and were awestruck by the scenery. Your story has reminded me that I need to return with a camper and stay a bit longer. My wife would love to ride her horse (a Kiger 'stang from that area) up those canyons to say "hi" to the wild ones still roaming around. Not sure of wilderness restrictions there. Thanks again.

p.s. My FIL (a retired large animal vet) and Dick got along splendidly.

 

[takesiteasy]

Enjoyed your trip reports. Seems we are running into more expensive camping everywhere we go. We do miss the wide open free dispersed camping that is so available in the west.

We rented a house for a week once at Netarts and had a great family vacation there. Fond memories. We love the Oregon coast. We also have done lots of river camping. usually with canoes.

Beautiful country. Thanks for posting your reports.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Very nice trip report.Thanks.
really enjoy "natures erosion".
That French barn very nice to see one.
I have seen other pictures of some on the east coast.
The post/beam frame is very nice.
Thanks again.

Didn't see any fish pictures!
Frank

 

[OpenSpace]

Thanks for the TR, Occidental. Used to live in Gilchrist/Crescent area south of Bend. Did 2 backpacks into the Steens and never forgot the place. Wonderful. Want to buy a raft (never been a boater) and start floating some rivers. Thus, really enjoyed your blog. Thanks again. Good stuff!

 

[Smokecreek1]

Nice TR, brings back some nice memories of that wonderful country; however, for my dog :"Bob" some bad ones about a run in with a buzz tail that could have ended up much worse than it did. Snakes, like mosquitoes, are just parts of where we like to play that we have to deal with; after all they were there first !

Smoke

 

[CraggyMan]

Great to read a few more of your TRs. Really enjoyed your earlier report on Birch Creek so we made a point to check it out earlier this spring when we were in the Owyhee country for some ODFW sage-grouse counting. Birch Creek did not disappoint, had the whole place to ourselves other than a few rigs parked for rafting shuttles. We only had one night to spare but for sure will go back and hike the canyon both upstream and down for some exploring and photography.

Here is a quick shot that I grabbed from near the road on our way out that has me hankering for a upriver hike.

cheers-

 

[Smokecreek1]

Fantastic f----ic photo craggyman, hope to see ya out there this year!

Smoke

 

[craig333]

Nice, makes we want to bring my kayak along.

 

[ski3pin]

So very nice! Everytime I see photos of Steens I want to hop in the truck and return. Thanks for sharing your trip, such fun! "Seeing the world from the river's point of view"; your river trips had me hearing flowing water. Thank you.

 

[RONR]

Thanks so much for a great report and photos. I especially was interested in the Owhyee as I've wanted to fish it for years.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Thanks so much for a great report and photos. I especially was interested in the Owhyee as I've wanted to fish it for years.

Shhhhhhhh! Ain't no fish in there

 

[Occidental]

Thanks all for taking a look and leaving a comment. The list of new places to go just keeps growing, doesn't it?

 

[ski3pin]

Shhhhhhhh! Ain't no fish in there

The Cowboy Code Mr. Sage, the Cowboy Code....................................

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

The Cowboy Code Mr. Sage, the Cowboy Code....................................

Well, I do get water upstream from the herd, and have not yet, as of now squatted on my spurs... What was that third one?

 

[slickrock steve]

Sage;
I think it is ;
"Never stand in front of a bull..in back of a mule...or near an angry woman.!!"

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I was thinking it might be 'Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut.", but your suggestions are pretty valid.

 

[ski3pin]

The official Cowboy Code that I was taught by the oldest, most cantankerous, ornery, mule headed cow poke I ever met, with a heart of gold, is -

Never squat with yer spurs on
Always get yer water upstream from the herd,
Never miss an opportunity to keep yer mouth shut.