Alvord Desert In February

Usually it would be okay in the valleys, passes of course just depend on the recent weather. I have been snowed on down there on May 17th before, just have to check the 7 day forecast before you go and avoid the storms. As long as it is sunny its usually good riding. We usually go down in the summer or fall, but conflicting plans have me thinking more about going down there in the spring when it tends to be raining alot here. Great area for all types of riding.

Here are the pics I got.







Here is the new parking lot and path to the springs.





Moist playa, mmm mmm good!


































The aliens have just lifted off.

Love the pics! Did you see the aliens before take off?

Nah, they were in a hurry!

"Here comes some crazy dirt bikers, let's roll!"

Man, wish I would have had all the parts to either of my bikes for that one. I need to get away. Thanks for the pics

The aliens did good planting that tree in the rock----------:huh------I like it !

Did they really build a large parking area next to the hot springs?

Why? I've never seen more than a couple cars parked there at any given time.

Before we know it that whole stretch of hwy will be paved. That area has to be my most beloved areas of Oregon and I hate to see "progress" take over.

The springs property is owned by the Alvord Ranch (which is for sale btw). We talked to the owner last November who said he had tried to do a BLM trade so he could get out from under the liability but they wouldn't entertain it so he said he 'had no choice' but to develop the springs with a full-time caretaker, parking and will 'be charging a few bucks' to use the spring and/or camp. We soaked there the last night before the dozers started creating the parking zone and talked to them the next morning. At least he didn't just plow the whole thing under and give up, those are some truly healing waters.

Yes, eventually the Andrews/Fields road will be paved and will certainly bring more people to the area dang it but who knows when the funding for that will come back?

Nice pictures,thanks for posting them

That's o.k., the skeeters will chase most of the soft city folk away...

Or skeet shooters

I though that parking lot was awfully big for people stopping by to soak. I can see it now, motorhomes parked in nice neat rows with little yapping dogs.

Glad I got a few soaks in before progress. It sounds like we'll be saying things like this before long:

"Remember when this road used to be gravel?"
"Remember when you had to park by the gravel road?"
"Remember when you didn't have to pay to soak?"
"Remember when you used to be able to soak in the Alvord Hot Springs before they sold the ranch to the current owners?"
"Remember when you used to be able to ride out on the playa?"

Can always ride over to White Horse hot spring for a more secluded soak. BLM land, tables, outhouse, free.

and sorry to hear of the "progress" and new parking/fee schedule. It was just a matter of time I guess. Glad to have been there with a lovely woman, no one else within miles and just our 2 bikes for company.

Great pics Ed, and what a great campsite!
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Thanks for the heads-up.

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Hot Springs tour completed over the weekend. It was a great weekend for it.

Willow is up first.






Bog Hot is up next to camp for the night.









Stopped at Fields and had Sandy cook me breakfast. Not much going on there this time of the year. I got gas there about 3:00 in the afternoon Saturday and pulled up to the pump Sunday morning at 9:30 and the meter still showed the $9 I put in Saturday.



The playa is mostly dry.







Alvord is the last soak. It was 65° at noon.

Was the creek crossing/mud bog "fixed"

No, they haven't fixed it yet.

Cardlock installed yet?