P.S. I'll stop landing there when they stop running jet boats up and down the river. Talk about annoying.

Several vids and pics on shortfield...although no recent PIREPs. Anyone want to add one?

I'll try to visit in mid May and provide a report.

chrisg wrote:Several vids and pics on shortfield...although no recent PIREPs. Anyone want to add one?

Okay, put a few words up.

Mauleguy wrote:I have landed the Deschutes strip for over 15 years, I will land it until they close it with a proper X and somekind of proof showing why it is now closed. This is why I hate anyone in a power position that threatens to take my rights away that does not have the right... F*&*em and feed them fish...

X 2, minus the fish.

chrisg wrote:Several vids and pics on shortfield...although no recent PIREPs. Anyone want to add one?

I think it's just "Chukar Flat" not "flats"

Waterboy wrote:Does any one have any recent information on Chukar Flat. Im doing a little reading up on some of the strips out of my area (Hood River and the Dalles, OR). Chukar Flats sound like a great strip but I keep finding references to the BLM wanting to close the strip.

Whats the latest is it open or closed? Has anyone been out here lately? Anyone want to go?

I might head out there this week for a look.

Im new to backcountry flying in airplanes, lots of time in helicopters. Any thoughts on a 170 with 8" tires and a C145 on that strip?

Ken

Landed there last Friday, it's in great condition.


Be careful if you need anything from the local tote box!!


You picked up a great plane, have fun with it!

Thanks for the update Terry. Yep thats my aircraft. So far its been treating me well and Ive been having a blast. Im still hoping to get into a hanger in Hood River but for now its parked in The Dalles.

Ill keep an eye out for that yellow and blue 180 and be sure to say hi.

WOW Thats some theft deterrent system they have on that tote.

Ken

On the plus side I bet he ate all the mice that are usually in that box.

robw56 wrote:On the plus side I bet he ate all the mice that are usually in that box.

That's a great point!

Markings look like a gopher snake, but the head looks big enough to give me pause. Was in there Saturday and no snake, so he must have finished off everything in the cupboard....

I finally landed Chukar Flat today. I have been slowly working up to it for the last two years. My biggest concern was getting my A model Cessna 170 back out of there after landing. The wind was 5-7 out of the south and made for an easy approach from the north. Actually I made 2 approaches from both directions to get my nerve up. The wind coming through the horse shoe bend gave a few good bumps toward the south end of the strip. Smooth sailing coming from the north. I ended up using only 500 feet or less of the north end of the strip for both take off and landing. The temps were in the 50s, quite nice.


As noted the strip is bumpy but useable in front of the tree and to the south.


The north end was in better shape than the grass landing area at my home airport.

Any way, it was a good day. Thanks for the condition reports from a couple years ago.

Has anyone hunted the nearby hills for Chuckers or Huns? Any reports on the Rattler population? I've got a couple of bird dog companions I'd like to hunt over, but I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of rattlers with the girls.

RockHopper wrote:Has anyone hunted the nearby hills for Chuckers or Huns? Any reports on the Rattler population? I've got a couple of bird dog companions I'd like to hunt over, but I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of rattlers with the girls.

There are lots of birds in the area. I'm not a very experienced bird hunter, but it seems like it would be difficult hunting.

Once my friend was sitting on a rock next to a fire ring and she had a rattler backed up against the ring wall ready to strike about four inches from her leg. She was handling a backpack on her lap pulling out jackets and food while carrying on and it was hard to believe that the snake didn't strike. We were a long way from the plane as well. We were super lucky that time!

Rattlers are definitely out there and in the Deschutes canyon in full force when it's warm and the sun is shining.

Thanks for the reply. Upland hunting in eastern Oregon is very good but not for the physicaly challenged. We generally start with hiking to the top of the mountain and then hunting on the way down. Some areas will have no Rattlers at all and other areas seem like you're ontop of one every couple of steps.

The firefighters I have dropped off in the Deschutes canyon, via helicopter, reported numerous rattle snakes. Said they were big suckers. Of course that was the hot summer months. Might not be so bad in hunting season.

Big rattlesnakes are the better ones to be bitten by. The youths can't control the venom and will deliver more from what I've heard.

Chukar Flat is in great shape even for my little 8.50s! Brought some friends this time.

My buddy Warren owned that C180 for about 8 years, sold it a couple years ago to a guy from Bend.
That must be your friend.
Glad he's making good use of it!
Those airplanes look great there- right at home!