So with all the fire activity across WA, ID, MT, a planned trip to Moose Creek beginning Sept. 11 doesn't look promising. We need a back-up plan; the Pacific Coast or Utah could be good options.

What recommendations to y'all have for a good camping destination. Preferable one with water to swim in nearby? Open to anything/anywhere within about 400 nautical miles of Elko Nevada (KEKO) at this time; we would go further for a kick-ass destination. We'll have a gaggle of 6 or 7 planes and about 15 people. Nothing more challenging than a loaded Cherokee six can get in and out of.

With the impressive body of knowledge on this site, I'm guessing there are some great destinations I'm not even aware of.

Thanks,
Blackrock

We're planning a little migration to ID that week as well and would welcome any suggestions. Thanks for posting!

blackrock wrote:So with all the fire activity across WA, ID, MT, a planned trip to Moose Creek beginning Sept. 11 doesn't look promising. We need a back-up plan; the Pacific Coast or Utah could be good options.

What recommendations to y'all have for a good camping destination. Preferable one with water to swim in nearby? Open to anything/anywhere within about 400 nautical miles of Elko Nevada (KEKO) at this time; we would go further for a kick-ass destination. We'll have a gaggle of 6 or 7 planes and about 15 people. Nothing more challenging than a loaded Cherokee six can get in and out of.

With the impressive body of knowledge on this site, I'm guessing there are some great destinations I'm not even aware of.

Thanks,
Blackrock

It's not exactly backcountry, but the northern and central Oregon coast should be free from smoke with winds typically out of the Northwest and no fires burning in close proximity. I think that the winds shifted to out of the east last weekend and filled the Protland area up. The big issue with the coast is that the marine layer often lingers until early afternoon. Powers, Mckenzie Bridge and Tokatee are all sort of "side country" destinations within striking distance of the coast that could be smoke free or light on smoke, depending on winds.

This is a pretty good fire map for planning purposes: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/firemap.aspx

And this gives a pretty good idea of where the smoke is the most dense: http://google.org/crisismap/a/gmail.com/wasmoke?hl=en&llbox=46.619%2C41.853%2C-113.643%2C-125.134&t=TERRAIN

The firefighters have quite the task at hand with this fire season. Wishing them the best of luck and definitely being vigilant about staying out of their way.

Mike, if you can't find anything better to do there will be a group of us camped out at Gravelly Valley (1Q5) on Lake Pillsbury that weekend. We will be there to have a work party on the strip. There is a shooting range on the north end of the strip, bathrooms and potable water within walking distance, and a lake to swim in although the water is probably low.

If you go to the north coast of Oregon, Nehalem Bay (3S7) has camping on the field.

Delete

I also have plans for An Idaho trip in September. Smoke's been so bad around here that I've barely made it out of the pattern.
Looks like things are going to improve starting tonight, with some good rains followed by cooler temps next week.
Won't be a fire season ender, but at least we're at the beginning of the end. Still hoping to make it to Idaho later in September.

I hear there's not much smoke in Nebraska.....

MTV

Haha, but someone down wind must be catching it? Wonder how the Dakotas are doing.

Jake, thanks for that info on the Oregon strips and for the links. Those are certainly helpful.

Rob, that sounds like a great offer. I've thrown out the options to the other pilots so I'll see what they come back with. It would be great to camp with you at GV so thank you very much for the offer.

We may wind up postponing, too so Kristian, you are always welcome to join up with us if it winds up being the same weekend as your trip. There will be some young people with us about the age of yours, or a little younger so they would have good company.

FiftyNineSC, your welcome to join us where ever we wind up, too. Will you be camping; what part of Idaho are you flying to? I must say that this is a very bad fire season so I'm not optimistic even though it is still two weeks away. Even when the fires get under control, they emit smoke for a long time so visibility may be an issue north of the salmon river for quite awhile. Keep an eye on it and definitely have a plan B. Where will you be flying from? We can better make recommendations with more information. Smiley Creek my be a good destination by then.

Thanks All,
Mike

blackrock wrote:Haha, but someone down wind must be catching it? Wonder how the Dakotas are doing.

All been headed to Calgary. Last map I saw (a couple days ago) Calgary was completely smoked.

Don't forget about the Reno Air Races here 15th-20th! You could always come to the new HSF location, camp and go to the Reno Air Races with us. Stead is a 30 minute drive from there.

Not to mention the Hot springs, Tahoe and number of various fly out locations you could camp on.

What are the dates for Gravelly again?

That would be a good one as well!

AKT

Kevin, Gravelly Valley will be Sep 11-13.

Kevin, camping and going to the air races would be great; I just need to come with ground transportation. Any thoughts? I suppose we could land a Susanville and Rose could drive a rental car to Dead Cow from there.

blackrock wrote:
FiftyNineSC, your welcome to join us where ever we wind up, too. Will you be camping; what part of Idaho are you flying to? I must say that this is a very bad fire season so I'm not optimistic even though it is still two weeks away. Even when the fires get under control, they emit smoke for a long time so visibility may be an issue north of the salmon river for quite awhile. Keep an eye on it and definitely have a plan B. Where will you be flying from? We can better make recommendations with more information. Smiley Creek my be a good destination by then.

Thanks All,
Mike

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. Was planning on camping at Johnson Creek. Coming in from Houston. I'll obviously have to play it by ear, but I've already got the time off so I'm flexible.

THE WAAAM MUSEUM IS FABULOUS!!!
NW Oregon 11-12-13 is the WAAAM Flyin at Ken Jernstedt field in Hood River. Grass and paved strip. I'll be there. If you want a grass strip all to yourself Cascade Locks is 8 min west. Grass and pavement. You will be the only planes there. Walk to town 15 min. At least 6 more grass strips to camp at. This area is so sweet. The Columbia River at Hood River is 80 MSL Look south to Mt Hood 11235MSL. With such huge elevation changes it is impressive. The beach is 55 minutes from Hood River. Pacific City is fantastic. I have the BCP club house there with Jeep. Day Break is another hidden Jem. All grass. Been getting some pretty good rain today. Probably help with fires. Smoke has not been bad unless your down wind. Our prevailing wind is west to east.

http://www.waaamuseum.org/events/fly-in ... lot-s-page
11th is pilot only day.
$5.00 to camp, register, and 3 day admission to museum.
https://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/ ... 67#p215567

Thanks, Rob, good info for sure. I'll keep you posted if we are headed your way or not. Lots to do in you're area it looks like! ID is still our primary, but of course only if if the smoke is minimal.

Thanks for the post. Looks like a great area to put on my list! Plus, I feel better about my 11 gal/hour avg. econ fuel burn.

JK

Hey Blackrock, No smoke down here. (KEKO-Escalante 1L7 270NM)
Fuel, Camping, courtesy car, great hiking and a whole lot of backcountry strips within an hours flight of here

SH, thanks for that info. Great to know as that is closer for us and we always enjoy Utah trips. How hot is it over there now?

Sounds like you won't be doing the Air Races and camping near by. If you do plan to try this check with me.
John