스틴스 마운틴‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪6‬개의 호수

Borax Hot Springs is a unique geological phenomenon, featuring geothermal springs that range in temperature from 104 to 300°F and are part of an active fault line. Due to its boiling temperature, Borax Hot Springs is NOT suitable for soaking! The nearby 10-acre Borax Lake, created by these powerful hot springs, is owned by The Nature Conservancy and contains high concentrations of sodium borate, arsenic, and lead, making it an ecologically sensitive area that supports unique microbes and the endangered Borax Lake chub.

Below the summit of Steens Mountain you can descend over some fairly steep switchbacks to Wildhorse Lake, one of the very few alpine lakes in the Oregon Desert. Keep in mind that the upper section of the trail might be covered under snow way into June. Another option to go down to the lake is by hiking to the radio tower on top of Steens Mountain and find a way down this less sketchy slope. There is a trail register at the top of the Wildhorse Lake Trail.

Riddle Reservoir is pretty shallow and hard to get to since the ground is very soft and muddy. Not the easiest way to collect water. However, there might be a small stream flowing from the mountain that you can use as a water source. Always treat that water, though! This is also an excellent spot to watch for wildlife. There were four pronghorns when we arrived there and plenty of water fowl.

This little reservoir had some nice water in June 2024. If you need some, better get it from here than from Riddle Reservoir which is very shallow and muddy to get to.

In spring of 2024, the amount and quality of water of Griffith Spring Reservoir was really good. A lot better than all the other water holes between Hart Mountain and Frenchglen. Not silty at all and little impact from cows.

In springtime, there might be a pool of water as an additional water source on the otherwise pretty dry stretch along the Oregon Desert Trail.