hike · tb
42.6978, -118.5718

Kiger Notch Hike

Overview

Steens Mountain is a large fault block escarpment created by basalt flows during the Miocene Epoch. On its eastern side the scarp drops precipitously to the Alvord Desert. The gradual western slopes lead up from the Donner und Blitzen and Catlow valleys. A few large U-shaped glacial valleys were carved out of the mountain by glaciers during the Pleistocene Epoch. One of these is the classically shaped Kiger Gorge, with main north-south ridge of Steens Mountain forming its western wall. A significant notch in the ridge, visible from Frenchglen and miles around, was created by a hanging glacier, and this will be your goal on an epic cross-country scramble.

Trail Stats

Duration
4.4 hr
Length
10.9 km
Elevation Gain
578 m
High Point
2849 m
Low Point
—
Grade
—

Photos

500px On the Anvil%2C Kiger Notch%2C Steens Mountain
Trail photo

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800px KigerNotchMap
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500px Rock wren at the Kiger Notch%2C Steens Mountain
Trail photo

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500px Clump of sulfur buckwheat %28Eriogonum umbellatum%29%2C Kiger Notch%2C Steens Mountain
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500px On the scramble route%2C Kiger Notch%2C Steens Mountain
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Descent of Peak 9213%2C Kiger Notch%2C Steens Mountain
Trail photo

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