Thinking ahead about the Johnson Creek get together this summer, I was looking at the sectional, and notices the three above airstrips with hazardous notes next to them. From the sectional, I couldn't see anything very different from other mountain strips in the Idaho area. So, for you folks familiar with the area, what's the reason for this special notation?
thanks,
tom

I've wondered why they're labeled that way on the sectionals too. I would guess it's because they're Forest Service strips and it's a liability thing, but then so are places like Big Creek and Cold Meadows.

Like the other John said, Fish Lake can be tricky, but pretty much like any strip out here - they all have their idiosyncracies.

Moose Creek is about as big as Johnson Creek, and you've got two runways to choose from.

John

These strips have that notation because they are, in fact, HAZARDOUS!
That is, to pilots without extensive mountain experience. And even sometimes to those of us with that experience.

Fish Lake has one of the worst accident histories of any Idaho strip!
This is because it looks so benign from altitude, and most folks are not aware of how powerful a downdraft a meduim sized lake in a high mountain valley can generate. There is also NO go-around. And moose. Lot's of them...as well as deer and elk, especially late in the afternoon. If you have that happen on short final you MUST continue the landing and hit the animal if necessary! Departure, even in a 185 or Super Cub, should be below 85 degrees, 70 degrees for the rest of us. Count on a tailwind on departure before 10 am.

Moose Creek is hazardous because it also looks benign, but it is at the junction of two large canyons and can have serious turbulence on approach or departure if the wind is blowing. It has a runway long enough for a cabin class twin, but departure from that runway requires a 90 degree turn 1/4 mile off the end to avoid the canyon wall which is perpendicular to the runway heading. Again, not a strip for someone without a local check out, unless they are in a Super Cub or similar. It does, however, have the most delightful camping and is a favorite among us.

Shearer is actually more dangerous than Fish Lake, but it does not have as bad an accident history because it LOOKS really hairy. It also has wildlife and no go-around below 300 feet, and it has one of the worst approaches in the state. You must fly around a mountain off the north end of the strip, avoid another strip at a private lodge, hug the ridge on your right while descending into the canyon and make a right 90 onto final at 200 feet or less. You have now been out of sight of the strip for 3 to 4 minutes and you have 5 seconds to decide if you will commit to it.

THAT is why these strips are noted as hazardous, and I haven't told half of it.

Get Galen Hanselman's book "Fy Idaho" and use it as your bible for our backcountry strips. Even if you have lots of mountain experience you will STILL need local instruction. Even after 30 years of flying Idaho I still seek up to-date local advice on each strip in the week or so before. For instance, several years ago someone who disliked airplanes put a salt block in the middle of the runway at Shearer in the late Fall with the result that elk trashed the runway at that spot and it was several years before the strip was in good shape again.

Y'all be careful out there!

Rocky

Did Shearer a couple years ago in the PA 22 along with Cayuse creek. Both offered good fishing and were fun to fly into and spend the day. Rocky is right though give them a real good look before going down into those canyons..

- Like they said.
Also, you're not done flying 'til you're tied down (safely).
Moose creek has some pretty tall grass in the camping areas that can hide a multitude of berms, dips, gullies, and other possible prop-biting boogies. If prop clearance is an issue with your bird, walk the route that you plan to taxi to the camp site to find those hidden terrain surprises in the grass.
Then, enjoy...it's awesome there. (Try the hike up to the lookout.)
Berk

Thanks for your replies. That's exactly what I was looking for. The Idaho guide book looks like a good investment.
tom

The north half of Shearer can be wet/boggy with long grass. This is less of a factor for landing than for take off. Departing, I want to be sure I'm off by the half way point. Tall trees line the river banks, including the far end of the meadow off of the departure end. I was taught to swing wide on departure (turn right, then left) and then climb along the tree line/river in order to allow more distance for climb before leaving the meadow area. The times I've been in there, I've been light and had no trouble with either the length of t/o roll or room to climb out. I can imagine it being different at greater weights or higher DAs. It's a nice spot.

CAVU