I had the pleasure of doing a 1650 mile trip this last summer with my youngest son through the high desert. We took the prior year amd built our own camper from scratch for the journey. Once in a lifetime trip before he turns 18 and heads out on his own adventure. Many a fish were caught, birds watched , Antelope sighted and rattlesnake filmed. Great memories. Highly recommend trip, go as bare bones as you can and live in the moment.
Thank you for comment! We had some worries that people would be upset by the commentary because of the heartstrings attached to the wild horses. Filming this series with Mike was an eye-opener to not just the good things about the desert, but also some hardships the desert faces.
@@nwimagepro I'm an avid trout fisherman. I know the damage to tributaries wrought by free roaming domestic ungalates. I'm no fan of leasing public land for grazing. Thanks for your insight and courage.
Magnitude of lava flows that those mountains are made of is astounding. 18:31 fire break? Horse burgers! I wonder if Natives long ago went up there for the view...
Mike, so good to see you, just scrolling through UA-cam! Great video on one of my favorite places on earth. We were introduced by one of our favorite people, Priscilla. I may not be able to go there again, but seeing it again through your eyes made me very happy.
One of the best hikes I've ever taken was through big Indian gorge in late spring, all the wildflowers were in bloom, the sound of the wind through the Aspen groves, and there were waterfalls all down the canyon walls from the snow melt. Then to drive to the top and see for hundreds of miles... truly magical place made of layers of flood lava and tectonic uplift. T
I too love this area and have made several trips there for week long stays. I just started bird watching and l'm looking forward to birding trip there.
Excellent video. I have visited the area a number of times. I noted the butterfly, Mormon Metalmark. When on a different location. Up atop Strawberry Mtn (geographically straight north 140 miles) in September 22nd 2019, I noticed there was a ton of them swarming. Very impressive experience. And only up on this elevation, 9,055 ft.
My wife and I frequent the Steen Mountains. We tent camped at fish lake many times. Woke up to frost a lot of times. Fresh air was great. Walked to the top once. Love this area. I’ve had people tell me the area was boring and ugly. They are wrong. 😊 We have a small trailer now (18’) and still visit the mountain and surrounding area. We follow the rules and try to leave the area cleaner than when we got there. People can be messy and cruel and don’t understand how to respect this country.
Thanks for writing and I appreciate your comments! The first night I filming and camping up on the Steen, we stayed at Fish Lake. It was early September and it got so cold that night I could't believe it, frost everywhere in the morning. Tough night of sleep, just couldn't get warm. I truly love the area.
So sorry to hear that there are folks that view the Steens as an ugly boring place-ignorance is bliss-what can I say. Thank you for your great appreciation of this beautiful astounding place.
Nice videos. I was going to suggest Succor creek, but saw you've done it already. I highly suggest the Illinois river out of Selma, OR, particularly around Pearsoll peak/ swinging bridge area. Keep it up
Thanks for writing! I hope you do get to visit, it will not disappoint. I would plan your trip during a time you can access the Steens Loop Road, which is in late summer or early fall. It truly is spectacular. So many things to see there, you could spend several days exploring the area.
Never Been but I am within a full day's drive. I think I should take a look and explore for a couple days looks like a great place. I grew up with horses and I agree they can be very destructive, unchecked I can see why the the shoot shovel and shut-up rule can be applied to them. They are an invasive species so I bet they are doing a lot of harm.
I recommend it. It is incredibly beautiful place, It has a feeling to it of rugged, isolated, vast beauty. I would recommend late summer or early fall, to get the most out of your trip. Being able to do the Steens Mountain Loop road, makes an outstanding trip.
Wonderful video! The species that you covered were covered so well, but there are so many species that are mainstays of the Steens Mountain area that you didn't even mention. I would love to have a similar video made that discusses all of the reptile and amphibian species living here, as well as one that covers all of the mammals, from mice to Mule Deer, and everything in between. Also, are there Pika living in this range?
Thanks! The series was made in a way that we filmed what we saw and discussed some of the things we didn't see, however through the filming of this series, we documented over 450 species and plants, animals, etc. that do overlap what you will find. According to Mike, no Pika living in the range.
I grew up visiting the Steens. As well as all over the southeastern deserts… Love this series !! And the western theme music.
Thank you for the comments, we really appreciate it!!
Excellent photography, narration (Not AI) and well informed of the ecosystem
Thank you very much!
What a cool video. Thank you so much.
You are welcome and thank you for the kind comments!
I had the pleasure of doing a 1650 mile trip this last summer with my youngest son through the high desert. We took the prior year amd built our own camper from scratch for the journey. Once in a lifetime trip before he turns 18 and heads out on his own adventure. Many a fish were caught, birds watched , Antelope sighted and rattlesnake filmed. Great memories. Highly recommend trip, go as bare bones as you can and live in the moment.
Thanks for sharing! These are very special places filled with wildlife, glad you were able to experience that.
Thank you for being forthright about the wild horses.
Thank you for comment! We had some worries that people would be upset by the commentary because of the heartstrings attached to the wild horses. Filming this series with Mike was an eye-opener to not just the good things about the desert, but also some hardships the desert faces.
@@nwimagepro I'm an avid trout fisherman. I know the damage to tributaries wrought by free roaming domestic ungalates. I'm no fan of leasing public land for grazing. Thanks for your insight and courage.
@@nonewherelistens1906 Your comments hit me a little deeper. Thank you for the encouraging words. Nice to know we are not alone.
Totally agree with you on the horses. Thanks for a beautiful tour of Steen's Mountain.
Thanks for checking out the series and for the comments!
Very informative. Been to Steens a couple of times and always enjoy it.
Thanks for the comment! I love visiting there, always a special experience.
Magnitude of lava flows that those mountains are made of is astounding. 18:31 fire break? Horse burgers! I wonder if Natives long ago went up there for the view...
@@Jack-ne8vm Definitely!
I'd really like to visit this corner of Oregon one day!
It's a spectacular place with so much to see, hope you do!
thanks so much for for your insight. great channel and finally putting a perspective onto the horse problem we have
@@mattbilyeu2622 Thank you for the comments and happy to hear you are enjoying the channel!
Mike, so good to see you, just scrolling through UA-cam! Great video on one of my favorite places on earth. We were introduced by one of our favorite people, Priscilla. I may not be able to go there again, but seeing it again through your eyes made me very happy.
It is so wonderful to hear from you Diana. I am glad you enjoyed these videos. I hope you are well. Thank you for contacting me. Later Mike
One of the best hikes I've ever taken was through big Indian gorge in late spring, all the wildflowers were in bloom, the sound of the wind through the Aspen groves, and there were waterfalls all down the canyon walls from the snow melt. Then to drive to the top and see for hundreds of miles... truly magical place made of layers of flood lava and tectonic uplift. T
I haven't hiked Big Indian Gorge, but would love to some day, especially after reading your comment. It really is a magical place. Thanks for writing!
I too love this area and have made several trips there for week long stays. I just started bird watching and l'm looking forward to birding trip there.
Man, if you could find some Robert Hunter instrumentals to use as background music, that would be perfect!! Awesome video.
Excellent video. I have visited the area a number of times. I noted the butterfly, Mormon Metalmark. When on a different location. Up atop Strawberry Mtn (geographically straight north 140 miles) in September 22nd 2019, I noticed there was a ton of them swarming. Very impressive experience. And only up on this elevation, 9,055 ft.
Thanks so much for the kind words and the info! Mike and I love seeing the Metalmarks.
Very nice; deserved sub...
Thank you!
My wife and I frequent the Steen Mountains. We tent camped at fish lake many times. Woke up to frost a lot of times. Fresh air was great. Walked to the top once. Love this area. I’ve had people tell me the area was boring and ugly. They are wrong. 😊 We have a small trailer now (18’) and still visit the mountain and surrounding area. We follow the rules and try to leave the area cleaner than when we got there. People can be messy and cruel and don’t understand how to respect this country.
Thanks for writing and I appreciate your comments! The first night I filming and camping up on the Steen, we stayed at Fish Lake. It was early September and it got so cold that night I could't believe it, frost everywhere in the morning. Tough night of sleep, just couldn't get warm. I truly love the area.
So sorry to hear that there are folks that view the Steens as an ugly boring place-ignorance is bliss-what can I say. Thank you for your great appreciation of this beautiful astounding place.
Nice videos. I was going to suggest Succor creek, but saw you've done it already. I highly suggest the Illinois river out of Selma, OR, particularly around Pearsoll peak/ swinging bridge area. Keep it up
Thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate the comments and you checking out the series as well!
I have wanted to visit this area for years, I can’t seem to talk the family into the long drive, I think I’ll have to just go myself.
Thanks for writing! I hope you do get to visit, it will not disappoint. I would plan your trip during a time you can access the Steens Loop Road, which is in late summer or early fall. It truly is spectacular. So many things to see there, you could spend several days exploring the area.
Never Been but I am within a full day's drive. I think I should take a look and explore for a couple days looks like a great place.
I grew up with horses and I agree they can be very destructive, unchecked I can see why the the shoot shovel and shut-up rule can be applied to them. They are an invasive species so I bet they are doing a lot of harm.
I recommend it. It is incredibly beautiful place, It has a feeling to it of rugged, isolated, vast beauty. I would recommend late summer or early fall, to get the most out of your trip. Being able to do the Steens Mountain Loop road, makes an outstanding trip.
@nwimagepro thank you, i think i would go late summer.
Wonderful video! The species that you covered were covered so well, but there are so many species that are mainstays of the Steens Mountain area that you didn't even mention. I would love to have a similar video made that discusses all of the reptile and amphibian species living here, as well as one that covers all of the mammals, from mice to Mule Deer, and everything in between. Also, are there Pika living in this range?
Thanks! The series was made in a way that we filmed what we saw and discussed some of the things we didn't see, however through the filming of this series, we documented over 450 species and plants, animals, etc. that do overlap what you will find. According to Mike, no Pika living in the range.
@nwimagepro thanks for the background info ..... it's so unusual that Pika do not live there, especially given the elevation
I've been there. The road on the southern side of the mountain is pretty sketchy.
Was this video shot this year? I thought we had two consecutive strong water years. 2023 winter & 24'
No, it wasn't shot this year. We started filming this series in 2020, did more filming in 2021, then 2022 was spent in the editing room.
Ive heard of Steen mountains, anybody got information. My dads last name is Steen, he grew up with his indian family ...let me know