The Oregon Odyssey: Journey Highlights

We had quite the journey exploring the striking landscapes of our Oregon trip! Here are some highlights. Much of what we witnessed defies the typical image people have when they think of Oregon. After a day and a half of driving on pavement to kick off our adventure, we dove straight into the stunning vastness of the canyonlands—views that were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Over the next couple of days, we continued exploring and added some fantastic hikes through the gulches of Leslie Gulch, near where we camped. It was an incredible start to our week-long adventure.

One of our key stops was the Jordan Craters Wilderness Area. Jordan Craters is a volcanic field spanning 27 square miles, composed of olivine basalt. This otherworldly landscape was shaped by lava flows that occurred in two main phases, both less than 30,000 years ago. The ancient lava field features craters, lava tubes, and pahoehoe—a Hawaiian term meaning "ropy," used to describe the smooth, billowy lava flows—demonstrating just how mobile lava can be. We drove right up to Coffee Pot Crater, a well-preserved, steep-sided crater covering two-thirds of a square mile. We hiked around, took photos of the alien-like terrain, and explored the area’s beautiful yet geologically violent past.

As with any multi-day journey, there are "peaks and valleys" One of the more sobering moments came when we encountered a severely injured golden eagle along a trail in a small canyon just outside the town of Fields Station, OR. It was barely moving but still breathing. After many calls to local agencies and a few hours spent protecting it, a state trooper finally arrived to rescue the bird. Sadly, we later learned that its injuries were too severe to recover from, and it had to be euthanized. The silver lining is that we were able to give this majestic creature an honorable end and did everything we could to offer it a chance at survival.

From there, we ventured into the Alvord Desert—a vast, dry lakebed known as a playa. It’s the largest of its kind in Oregon, covering approximately 84 square miles (217 square kilometers). Formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity and tectonic shifts, the desert is a remnant of ancient Lake Alvord, which existed during the last ice age. The landscape is flat and barren, dotted with shrubs and sagebrush. Its surface is a hard-packed layer of mud and salt, which becomes treacherous when wet. We had a blast driving across the playa and wrapped up the day with a taco bar dinner.

I could have stayed in the Alvord Desert for days, but we reluctantly moved on, eager to explore the Steens Mountains that can be seen in the distance. We climbed over 5,000 feet in elevation from the desert floor, gaining a spectacular view and a whole new perspective looking down at the Alvord Desert. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our journey. Vast, untamed, and hauntingly beautiful—Southeast Oregon is a land of extremes and solitude. From the jagged rim of Steens Mountain to the shimmering mirage of the Alvord Desert, this high desert frontier offers raw, cinematic landscapes that exceed expectations. Lava flows, ancient petroglyphs, and sagebrush seas stretch endlessly under cobalt skies, inviting explorers to lose the map and find themselves. Whether you're chasing wild mustangs, soaking in remote hot springs, or navigating the ghostly silence of the Owyhee Canyonlands, this was Oregon—rugged, remote, and utterly unforgettable.

And this was just the beginning... Can't wait to see you again, Oregon!