Just a thought for caution. If someone is departing to the south, down through the canyon, and someone is approaching, up through the canyon(which would not be recommended by many, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the canyon) it can get pretty tight, pretty quick.

A safer option might be to fly over the canyon and strip first,making sure evrything looks good, and no departing traffic. Then go back and drop into the canyon a comfortable ways down stream, and head on in.

I have been in and out of the canyon and enjoy it. Just don't get complacent. You could be comming around a corner and get a big surprise.

I haven't noticed this talked about here before, but personally, I like the idea of flying to the right side of canyons, for the most part. I think it adds a little safety factor. Particularly if others do it too .

You can approach the strip from the north, do a right pattern and land to the north(depending on ability and comfort level).

Gary

I was taught always to fly over a back-country airstrip before landing and to use 122.9 on the radio to announce my intentions "in the blind." Of course, it helps to *listen* to 122.9 so I'm not making my approaches "in the deaf." In fact, 2009 October 3 had a camper at the end of Hidden Splendor and I figured I could get over him or around him in a go-around. I wasn't happy about it, there are signs warning that it's an airstrip, thanks to Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP).