1.1 hr
Overview
Until it became part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the Barnes homestead, last lived in by the Don “Jiggs" Barnes family, ran sheep and cattle on the lower slopes of Steens Mountain and maintained hay fields for the Eastern Oregon Livestock Company. However, in 1978, the ranch leases were canceled by the wildlife refuge. The homestead itself has been removed, but there’s still the old corral, a sod shed (now protected with a roof), some exotic spruce trees and Siberian elms, and an apple orchard. Numerous hot springs websites and guidebooks also tout the warm springs at the homestead site. However, these are officially off limits according to the refuge’s regulations and the soaking pool has been returned to nature. The homestead site is reached via a refuge maintenance track right off the Steens Mountain Loop at Frenchglen.
Trail Stats
4.2 km
9 m
1285 m
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Photos
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