Last week I flew 85 miles across the high desert, intending to land and mountain bike at a interesting area in the Little Lost River Valley. JUST as I was due to drop out of cell phone coverage, I get a call for crane service. I was needed ASAP at a grain mill back in Blackfoot, and I truthfully told my customer where I was at the time (right at the confluence of the Pashimeriou and Little Lost valleys, at 8K, and I would immediately turn around, be home in an hour and at the mill in another hour. While telling him this I had already turned around to head home (the Portnuef Range I live on visible from 80 miles out as it was a perfect day).

But, 30 seconds later I had second thoughts, turned around and made a couple mountain side landings before then finally getting to the crane etc etc. BUT I was in a much better mood then if I hadn't cheated a little.



A week later I'm making another attempt to get to the same area, and again I get a call. This customer said he needed me right after lunch OR the next morning if I was busy, knowing that the general background noise of the plane doesn't sound plane like, I just told him I was on another job right now, wasn't sure when I'd be done, and lets do it in the morning. He agreed and after telling that little white lie I shut the phone off for the day and 15 minutes later was eyeballing this site.

I landed in the short sage brush, up where it starts to narrow down,on a overgrown road really, after checking it over for badger holes etc, none this time, as I have had to deal with on similar trips in the area. Tieing the plane up I got the bike out and followed a great trail up the canyon, for 4 miles and a 1300' altitude gain, the view getting better and better. At the 7900' level the trail opens up to a sloped plateau that I instantly realize I can land on, after rolling a few rocks out of the way. As this is a established ATV trail used by hunters (non that day, because I'd made the effort to be there on a weekday) and I'd land on the trail itself, that makes it OK, in my mind anyway, no disturbing a pristine mountain enviroment etc. It's so rocky anyway no sign would be left. So I waypointed it and as the trail continues way the hell up towards the 11 or 12K peak, I now have a forward base to operate out of, and maybe still this year I'll go back and camp there and see if I can make it to the end of the trail, next spring at the latest. I always like having places to check out in the future and this place will be at the top of the list next year.
The lower landing site.

You are having ENTIRELY too much fun................

When this storm passes maybe a breakfast at the Yankee Doodle in Alpine ????

CG, you'd feel a lot better about your shortcomings if you got out and flew once in a while..

I might have to find a way to block your post's for me. Or don't even look at your threads I'm truly jealous of all the fun your having!

No, really.......I enjoy all your post's and pictures! After I get my plane back together later next year, I'll be back having almost as much fun.

Maybe that's what I should do Get me a crane. Seems like the two crane operators here have all the fun. But, I'd have to move away from Steve's territory. Maybe go in the middle like Twin Falls??

Warning...... thread drift....

Hey sixtwoleemer... I saw the 'other gray ghost here a few weeks back. 92.... Is 91 still around ?

You didn't lie lie. You were just economical with the truth.

Stol wrote:Warning...... thread drift....

Hey sixtwoleemer... I saw the 'other gray ghost here a few weeks back. 92.... Is 91 still around ?

91 is being painted @ Midcoast Aviation right now- 4 weeks and $$$$ to paint that bugger!

I was on 92 then and this past Thurs. afternoon in JAC on our way back from Hong Kong. When I get home, the weather turns to crap!

End of thread drift...

Stol wrote:You are having ENTIRELY too much fun................

When this storm passes maybe a breakfast at the Yankee Doodle in Alpine ????

Yeah, I'm up for that. PM me your cell# I must have written it down wrong last time, but it didn't work.

SixTwoLeemer wrote:CG, you'd feel a lot better about your shortcomings if you got out and flew once in a while..

Hey, I'm just getting caught up! Moving onto 40 acres of bare ground, (first move in 28 years) and building a large shop, small house, AND finishing my 1/2 built when moved S-7S I think I deserve to log some serious hours! I did all that in a couple years and the only thing I subbed out was the electrical, everything else I did, and mostly by myself. And, I was working pretty much full time as the crane work was real busy back then. So yeah, I'm flying the hell out of it. But every now and then I think, unlike all the previous falls when I would be grounded/snowed under usually around Thanksgiving, until next spring, THIS winter will be my first on the wheel skis, and I think maybe I ought to slack off a bit, but this fall weather is just too good to let go by, if I'm not working, and the weathers decent, I'm flying. It keeps me out of trouble and spending money on things like finishing my basement bathroom project, screw that!

After seeing your pics, I think I just added another place to visit on the "Bucket List"

was just there last week courier...rode 4-wheelers and razr's for a new polaris tv show, what cool country...picked out a few choice spots to land also in the old 182...i can see why u go there after last week for sure!