Thread: Steens/Warner Mountains Beta

So I'll be in Idaho in the next few weeks for work stuff and I plan on meandering back home after after meeting my dad over at the Steens. I'm very familiar with the area but have never visited in the winter. I'm looking for some beta on any mellow ski touring lines that can be done from the Frenchglen side, starting from where the loop road closes, or possibly beyond as we may have some access. All touring, no snow machine. Going to leave the east side for another trip. Any info would be appreciated, pm if necessary.

Also going to come by Lakeview on the way home. I know about Warner Canyon Ski area, any advice on touring in that vicinity? I assume we can at least tour up the runs when it's closed during the week and maybe access some goods beyond there?

Appreciate any help, will share a TR if I find anything worthy.

Please post pics if you do anything up there. Been looking at the steens for a while

Not sure what you will find on the Glen side this time of year. I've only skied there after the road is open in summer but I've always thought hitting it from the desert side in winter would be sick. That said I still haven't sacked up to make that trip, enough close calls during summer to make winter trips somewhat intimidating. That is, re steens. No beta for Warner, and the only people I know in Lakeview prefer horses to skis

X2 for wanting to know more about both areas.

definitely post pics. never been, would like to go. Filed this away in the links to places to go repository long ago:
http://noether.uoregon.edu/~ptallen/...te/steens.html

been there in summer, it's gorgeous. i can definitely see why someone would want to ride it. of course, that was before all the propane tanks they put at the top (so i heard anyway).

Had dinner with Brian O\\\'keefe last night, he's got a place near Frenchglenn. Should be no issue getting a key and permit to drive the loop road to the snow line. Sounds like the Glen side is mostly meadow skipping but quite few locals ski it and some folks drop some more aggressive lines into the gorges. Anybody know if they ever completed the paving of Field's Denio Road on the east side?

The restaurant in French Glen used to be run by a guy who built chairlifts. I think his name is Lance. I remember his wife's name was Missy. He had some local knowledge.

I stopped at Warner Mountain this past summer while firefighting up in that area. Are you driving from Denio to Lakeview? There's a pass that drops down to the desert floor that would be good for road laps if it has the snow. Here's a pic from near the top.

Originally Posted by splat

The restaurant in French Glen used to be run by a guy who built chairlifts. I think his name is Lance. I remember his wife's name was Missy. He had some local knowledge.

I stopped at Warner Mountain this past summer while firefighting up in that area. Are you driving from Denio to Lakeview? There's a pass that drops down to the desert floor that would be good for road laps if it has the snow. Here's a pic from near the top.

If I remember right Lance and Missy split, Missy was still around running the Buckaroo Room but I think it finally sold. Thanks for the beta on the pass from Denio to Lakeview, vaguely remember it.