Steens Mountain | desert, summit

USA / Nevada / MacDermitt /
 mountain, desert, summit
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Steens Mountain is a large fault-block mountain that stretches some 50 miles and rises from an elevation of about 4,200 feet (1,300 m) above the Alvord Desert to its peak at 9,725 feet. It is sometimes confused with a mountain range, but is actually a single mountain.

It was called the "Snowy Mountains" during the early fur trade period, but in 1860 was renamed for U.S. Army Major Enoch Steen, who fought and drove off members of the Paiute tribe who lived on the mountain. Several plant species are endemic to Steens Mountain, including Steens paintbrush, moss gentian, Steens Mountain penstemon, Steens Mountain Thistle, a dwarf blue lupine and Cusick's buckwheat.

On October 24, 2000, president Clinton created the Steens Mountain BLM Cooperative Management and Protection Area, a 425,000 acres area. This law protects 1,200,000 acres from mining, and 100,000 acres from cattle grazing.

Steens Mountain is also host to Steens Mountain Running Camp, a nationally known cross country training camp that has been held on the mountain since 1975. The Steens Mountain Back Country Byway offers a rugged and often spectacular opportunity to explore this remote back country treasure.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steens_Mountain
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Coordinates:   42°38'5"N   118°32'36"W

Comments

  • Good Catch,rpitty.This kellygrade seens to be doing some good work.
This article was last modified 16 years ago