1982 Map of Steens Mtn

About this map

Steens Mountain National Recreation Lands dominate this high-desert region of southeastern Oregon, showcasing a landscape of dramatic geologic transitions. The eastern face of Steens Mountain drops sharply into the expansive Alvord Desert, a stark contrast to the riparian corridors of the Blitzen River and Donner und Blitzen River to the west. Within this remote terrain, the settlement of Frenchglen serves as a lone outpost, connected by the Frenchglen-Steens Road. The map documents critical conservation and geothermal areas, including the southern reaches of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the localized Alvord Hot Springs. From the volcanic Saddle Butte Lava Field in the northeast to the alkali flats of Coyote Lake, the survey captures a complex network of seasonal creeks and drainage basins defining Harney County in the early 1980s.