I recently made this sunrise photo from the East Rim of Steens Mountain. On land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Steens Mountain Wilderness is one of the most remote and beautiful areas in SE Oregon. The mountain is a vast block fault rising to almost 10,000 feet. During the summer and early fall when the access gates are open, you can drive the 52 mile long gravel loop road that will take you along the spine of the mountain and the many viewpoints and four campgrounds along the way. In my photo you can see the Alvord Desert in the distance below as the endemic (native to a particular region) Steens Mountain thistles (Cirsium peckii) dance to greet the morning sun.
