FKT: Steven "Aria Zoner" Thompson - Little Wildhorse Lakes Loop (OR) - 2020-10-06

Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2h 40m 3s
GPS track(s)
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For this solo loop run, I left from the Wildhorse Lake/Steens Mountain Trailhead at 3:12pm, aiming to race the sunset while taking advantage of the canyon shade. Setting off, it was breezy and brisk. The trail to Wildhorse Lake was defined but slick, like marbles on tile. From the lake, the crux of the ravine was easy to follow. Rounding the bottom, I held the traverse as shown on the route track, but should have just kept going down the crux on a well-trodden cattle path until closer to the confluence. I fell more times during this part than on any other hike I've done yet. The gully up to Little Wildhorse Lake, once I got to it, was just as easy to follow, with cliffs draping on both sides, limiting where you can go anyways. During this part, I saw a herd of Bighorn Sheep. The final miles were indeed runnable, and I beat the sunset with enough time to then ride my bike down to the South Steens Campground, where I started the Steens Mountain Crossing  (https://fastestknowntime.com/route/steens-mountain-crossing-or) the next morning.

 

Water was available often along this route. Although I didn't need to, I carried 1 liter from the car and did not refill.