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Beer Stein Pillar LbNA #29436 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Stinkerbell
Plant date:Mar 23, 2007
Location:
City:Prineville
County:Crook
State:Oregon
Boxes:1
Found by: team midget hampster
Last found:Apr 26, 2009
Status:Far
Last edited:Oct 5, 2015

I found the following information at summitpost.org.

"According the the USFS plaque at the overlook, the pillar was named after the 1860's area explorer, Major Enoch Steen. The name was commonly misspelled and the incorrect version eventually became official.

Getting There
Steins Pillar is located approximately 16 miles east of the town of Prineville, OR. To reach the Pillar, drive US26 10 miles east from downtown Prineville to 200 yards east of mile marker 28. Turn left onto (paved) Mill Creek Road. Follow the road past the end of the pavement (at 5.1 miles from US26). Stay on Mill Creek Road for another 1.6 miles to the signed junction for Steins Pillar Trailhead.

If headed for the Trailhead: Turn right at the sign, cross a small bridge and follow the forest road (#500) for exactly 2 miles from the junction. The trailhead consists of a turnaround loop in the forest road (note the self registration box). From the trailhead, hike the well-maintained trail for 1.8 miles to the backside overlook...of the Pillar."

My own information: The trail to the pillar is rocky and muddy in places. I'd grade it as a moderate level of difficulty, due to the rocky terrain and HILLS. Be sure to carry plenty of water. The hike is definitely worth it!

Once you reach the backside overlook of the Pillar, congratulate yourself with a long drink of water. I climbed up on the rocks in front of the pillar for a photo op. Then I climbed down and walked straight ahead, up on some other rocks, until I reached a V-shaped tree. Next, I took a compass heading of ~270 to a long-needled pine tree growing from the rocks below. Step down onto the ledge with that pine tree—WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES. Once you’re on the ledge with the pine tree, head 160 degrees (left). The trail ends here, with the box on the right between the boulders and under two rocks.

Return to the backside overlook of the pillar. More from summitpost.org: “From there, stay on trail as it descends down toward the base of the pillar. The trail vanishes just before the base (below wooden steps). The hike-in takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour and involves approximately 700 feet of elevation change (rolling ups and downs)."

Me again: I didn’t hike down to the base, because I didn’t want to have to hike back UP!!! Enjoy this amazing sight near Prineville. The front side is visible from the Stein’s Pillar Overlook, see the signs on Mill Creek Road. The land between the Overlook and the pillar is private property, the trail specified in this clue is the only way to reach the base. Be Safe!!!