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9773-ft peak. From the west side, the summit is reached starting at an elevation of about 3,500 feet and going up a gentle slope of over 20 miles. On the east face, however, the elevation drops off to about 5,000 in only 3 miles. The view of the valley floor of the Alvord Desert nearly 5000 feet below is quite incredible and awe inspiring. The Steens are a geological hotspot as well, offering up a cross section of the earths crust. Kiger Gorge gives onlookers the view of the earths different layers due to the carving out of the valley by massive glaciers that have long since disappeared.