Collin entertains and educates about fascinating landscapes across the American West, drawing from 33 years as a Landscape Scientist. He talks not only about the landscapes, but the plants, wildlife, history, and access that make it especially interesting. Come and ride along!
We didn’t, we stopped at the lake. But on my Onx app it looks like the road goes another mile or two, but have no idea how passable it is. The last couple of miles into the lake were pretty rough…..
Wild critters seem to react much better to people who enjoy nature than they react to city slickers who rarely venture afield. The Owyhee and Snake canyonlands, especially in May and early June, are vast and mind blowing. Visitors would do well to explore them a little as Idaho has canyons every bit as majestic as the Grand one. Thanks for showing us this one.
Thanks for this content! We were wondering about the water-carved areas. Do you have any more information about why only some parts are water-carved? it must have been a river at time(s), then? but most of the water-carved rock has been eroded away? so much of it looks like normal, uncarved columnar basalt. I loved visiting here!
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit! The crack in the ground is a volcanic fissure created by a volcanic eruption nearby long ago. The water caused erosion you’re seeing, is just a secondary influence on the crack. I’m assuming it’s occurring only where the topography channels water through the crack. Since you’re in an arid landscape, there’s not much water to cause serious erosion.
Any good rocks? I’m a super crazy about the graveyard point, succor creek, Owyhee reservoir areas. I know them like the back of my hand. But ! I’ve never ventured up north! I’ve heard silver city has good materials.
Sorry, I’m not much of a rock guy, so can’t help you much there. I’ve been to Silver city many times, looks to me like some cool stuff going on, specially, given its mining history…..
Adding a few comments over time regarding my love of Steens Mtn. & it’s amazing variety of landscape has certainly brought forth a huge array of informative articles, however the areas relative isolation I hope will not bring forth a deluge of tourists, if it has not already. Steens Mtn, though, is perhaps, by its very nature, not a big vacation choice for many & personally I hope it remains this way. It’s unique & I presume, still relatively untouched beauty may limit its mass appeal & its very location, distance from large cities, & few accommodations may keep the number of visitors limited. Do not get me wrong here. ANYONE who can appreciate this area & treat it respectively should be welcome there & I, myself living abroad have not visited this wonderful area since 2007 & I really hope to make it there in 2005. I hope to find Steens Mtn. as I remember it & that those who visit will honor it fully.
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. You’ve struck on a bit of a dilemma that I face. Showing off these more remote areas, can risk ruining the very thing (solitude) that makes them attractive. I’ve concluded we now live in an information rich age, and information about these areas will increase. So the best thing I can do is overview them with dignity and respect and introduce them in a way to encourage respectful visits. The bottom line is, living in a democracy, people need to be aware of these places to ensure the political will stays in place to take care of them……
When we floated the Owyhee River, I noticed tumbleweed everywhere. It choked a lot of the canyons. Found out it is an invasive species as well. Thanks for the video.
I’m glad you clued into them on your trip. A lot of irony that one of the symbols of the west is actually an invasive species that was never here to start with. They’re quite a problem in some places. The wind creates huge piles like I show in this video that are hard to get rid of, create more fire risk and compromise the rangeland all around…
Nice! And thanks for sharing. I'm down in the Vegas area and the bloom here was just incredible. We were cool with tons of rain all spring, and the flowers really came out. We have just a few of those roads that go and go through the land down this way. Nothing like you see there. I used to take my DRZ-400 motorcycle and ride stuff like that at 50 mph in Box Elder County, Utah. It was a riot. I bet that place smelled fantastic. And I miss that too - the very pleasant smell of the sage and junipers in bloom.
It did smell great, and felt really good to be out! I also use to cover a lot of places like this on my motorcycles (my favorite was my XR 500 Honda)......miss those days, but can't afford to take another spill. Still glad to be out and about in the truck. Thanks for watching and sharing!
Driven that road quite a few times. One of my favorites. So many different terrains. You camped at what was known as Watson before the dam was built. I have visited the Watson cemetery and found the old post office. The cemetery is above high water, but the post office ruins are underwater at this time. We where in there last year in early may for the West Side Story trip. We drove all the way to hole in the ground. Quite the adventure. Thanks for sharing! George.
George - really cool info about the Watson area, wish I would have know more about before hand....would have looked around a bit more. I liked that area a lot down in there. Thanks for the feedback!
@@sagebrushcountry Most of the ruins I have found are on the east side of the river. You can drive up to the cemetery with a capable vehicle from Leslie Gulch when the reservoir is low. There are a few other structures along the way. We did it a few years ago with the Lake View trip.
I use a DJI Mini 2 I got a couple of years ago. Been really happy with the little guy who has good range and can handle quite a bit of wind. I'm sure they have even improved them more since I bought mine. Used it more than usual this time to try and capture all the open space - thanks for watching.
The trouble with trees you can't see the forest though the trees. In the desert you can see miles of desert, and desert, desert. I love them both the same. Thank you ALL stay safe
I know what you mean. I think my favorite landscape is plenty of open space with pockets of trees....then you get the best of both worlds! Thanks for commenting!
I use both. The app for local travel and the map for regional understanding. The app on my phone I use is called ONX. I highly recommend it, you can see roads on top of sattelite imagery, and so you always know where you are on the road, and have some idea of the landscape. However, you can't beat a good paper map for regional context understanding. I use Benchmark Maps State Atlas. They are available for all the states in the west, and give the right amount of detail for a good regional look at all kinds of features. Happy traveling!
Never heard of this place, is that area considered part of the Owyhees? I'm planning a trip to Glass Butte for obsidian hunting, maybe I'll take a side trip to Crack in the Ground. I'm really enjoying your videos, hope you continue to make more.
No, it’s not part of the Owyhee’s, it’s a separate volcanic area. It’s probably a 2 Hour drive from Glass Buttes to Crack in the Ground, but well worth the drive…..
Apenas hoy mire tu video muy bonitos paisajes, a mi también me gusta la pesca y casería, vivo en Reno y conozco algunos lugares en el norte de Nevada , saludos
Yeah, not pretty is it. Unfortunately, Western Juniper will aggressively expand without regular wildfire. So if you’re managing for grazing or wildlife that need more rangeland (like sage grouse) that’s their current solution….
I've played in the Owyhees for over 20 years, but I've never made it to the Steens. I'm making the trek this year and wanted to thank you for your peek at the area. Now I just have to figure out the best way to get there from the East side, I'll be coming from Idaho.
Thanks for watching! Most straightforward is to drive to Burns and then go south to French glen. The two main gravel roads to the top of the Steens all go in from the West side, with the primary gravel road near French glen. That said, if you have time go around the southern end and explore the east side. More remote but cool stuff to see like Alvord playa (you can drive on it).
@@sagebrushcountry about 20 yrs ago i went up there , entering the back way (south) which at that time was a slow windy road....was having a blast , til i got to the top , and there was a foot race of some kind , with people in silly costumes , roadblocks , and way too much noise...it kinda spoiled it for me , and i've never gone back.... my loss , i know , but i go out for the isolation , and masses of people with toys and such make me crazy...... probably best to time a trip in early fall. it's isolated enough that the foolish civilians won't be there to spoil the view
@@gaylandbarney2231 Wow, that does sound disappointing, I don't blame you. I think your early fall strategy will work great - that's when I was there....after the summer crowds and before hunting seasons. It's worth another try.....
I do love it. Glad you enjoyed it, my primary goal is more exploring than fishing, so if you like my commentary check out some of my other videos and areas. 😊
Yes, the Little City of Rocks is a much smaller place with much smaller rocks, while the City of Rocks is a much larger area with huge rock formations and is a state park that caters to camping and rock climbing…. both are worth a visit.
@@Joe-ng5ez The Little City are more lava rocks, the brown.ones....the City of Rocks are gray/white ...quartz, granite? Really different in their own ways
