Alvord desert, driving paradise

[modbus]

All, thought I'd share with you a quick video compilation I put together of my hoonage on the Alvord desert in Harney County, Oregon.

It was a total of 15 hours out and back from PDX to the desert, and too many miles of bumpy gravel road just to get on to the playa. I was able to convince a group of my friends out there for this since it was recently my 30th.

Dust is everywhere outside and inside my car, but I suppose at least there isn't caked gunk like I've seen in photos from cars coming off a salt flat.

Anyway, I highly suggest for those who are dedicated and enjoy really raw camping to make your way out there, but there are no services for miles so a breakdown could become a catastrophic problem.

Maybe this can become a planned event in the future? It would be a lot to coordinate though...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyZ7xdAiBaY"]Subaru BRZ on the Alvord desert - YouTube[/ame]

[yelsew]

That looks like an absolute boatload of fun! Very cool looking drone footage as well! I've always wanted to do something like a salt flat or abandoned airfield playground day. Lucky you for being a weekend trip away. Did some shooting once out in the Utah desert but it was much too rocky and mountainous to drive like that.
Very cool video nonetheless

[sachu]

Was there earlier this year on labor Day.

Took the camping car out though, 96 subaru outback.

Camped out on the playa for two nights.

Did the steens mountain loop, which would be awesome on a rally spec 86!

Cool video!

[arkanist]

15 hours from PDX to the desert? Any stops in between? According to google maps it should be ~10 hours from Seattle.

Also, I would love to do an event out there.

[bcj]

Malheur Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful drive to see all the birds.

You can take 205 down from Bend, OR to Fields, OR that's paved.
Only a couple miles of gravel to the Alvord playa access from there.
There's a hot spring at the north end of Alvord.

Don't go if there's been any rain at all. Turns into a mudfest if you're caught out on the playa in the rain.

[modbus]

Originally Posted by arkanist

15 hours from PDX to the desert? Any stops in between? According to google maps it should be ~10 hours from Seattle.

Also, I would love to do an event out there.

It was about 7.5hrs from PDX to the desert.
So total, 15hrs commitment for travel.

Downside is the few miles of gravel you have to drive to get on the lake bed. Access roads on to the lake bed are a bit tricky too with such a low vehicle. I didn't end up with any clearance issues but I have a little off-road experience too to help make the best of the uneven terrain.

A mistake I made was that we filled up gas in Burns but my friends who brought spare fuel only had regular. I burned up a good amount of fuel messing around (as you saw in the video) but I wish I had more time for driving shenanigans. I reserved just a hair under half a tank to get back to Burns and still had a safe margin left in the tank. Whatever you do, make sure you keep tabs on your fuel because there isn't any near there and the closest place is Fields, Oregon which only has regular.