Unnamed Thermal Spring
An unnamed thermal point on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, about 51 miles from Hines. The water on file is warm, a bit under body heat. Access is restricted. On a wildlife refuge that means the refuge, and only the refuge, decides who goes where. The USGS tracks it by site number.
Center Patrol Road is the nearest road, and the spring is about a mile's hike from it across U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land. Elevation is a bit over four thousand feet. Winter snow is about three feet and annual precipitation around fourteen inches.
Winter months are on file as best. Page Springs Campground is close, a little over two miles away. Because access is restricted, check with the refuge before attempting the walk, and expect that some areas are closed. The water is warm and under body heat, so it would be a mild soak at most, if you were allowed in. No fee is listed.
Overview Page Springs Campground is located at the base of Steens Mountain, just three miles from the town of Frenchglen, Oregon. Thrity-six roomy campsites situated under cottonwood and juniper trees and near the Donner and Blitzen River welcome visitors year-round. The campground serves as the trailhead for two short hikes: the Blitzen River Trail meanders four miles up the river, while the Wilderness Nature Trail climbs gradually to the top of the bluff overlooking the valley floor and l...