Steins Pillar Trail

Directions:
From Prineville, drive Highway 26 east for nine miles to Mill Creek Road, near the end of Prineville Reservoir. Continue on Mill Creek Rd. for five miles; turn onto road 500 for about 2.5 miles, and park in the turnoff at the trailhead.

The Trail:
The Steins Pillar trail is very deceiving, offering views of the pillar only for the last half mile of the trail, but don't expect a boring hike; the trail gives you plenty to look at all in a very short distance. The trail starts out meandering through a nice forest, but soon reaches open meadows that are covered with wildflowers during the spring. Many Cascade mountains and other rolling green Ochoco mountains can be seen from the open prairies. Eventually, the trail switchbacks down to the base of the tower, offering a very humbling view of Steins Pillar, and leaves you with one thought: "I hope it doesn't fall over right now!"