Yesterday I figured I had better get out and get my flying/off airport fix before the storm rolled in the this morning so I grabbed Adam and another friend and headed out for an afternoon/evening flight. There is a strip on the other side of the Salt Lake that I had wanted to checkout this year and I figured I had better do it before all the rain this weekend. So, we took off and headed to Lakeside.

Lakeside sits right on the border of the restricted area on the lake's west shore. Once there, we dragged the strip a few times and, after deciding that it looked ok, we made our approach and landing to the south. What I cool place! The strip was in great shape. Just a few taller bushes to avoid. Otherwise, it was pretty firm and smooth. I've heard that this strip is a late summer, fall strip due to its tendency to flood and stay wet. Not sure how early in the year it becomes usable, but it's something I want to find out. I really want to come back and explore the nearby hills as well as do some camping. We found obsidian on the strip so it might be a good place for looking for arrowheads too. There are some poles...possibly old telegraph poles maybe?...near the north end but no wires. I'll update Shortfield.com too.

It was one of those beautiful west desert evenings with hardly a ripple in the sky. What a gorgeous evening for flying!

It was a little hazy on the west side of the lake.


Me and my buddy.


Lakeside looking south.


Lakeside looking north.


Hills to explore next time.


Sunset over the Great Salt Lake.



Brought a piece of Lakeside back with us.

Very nice!

Looks like a cool spot!

I've wondered about that strip but have never made it out there. Glad to hear it's a good one. Now I'll go for certain. I was out that way yesterday too, for the same reason, but did not get that far west. I did hit the upper & lower Freemont, Promontory and Spiral Jetty though.

Hey Steve. I should have posted that I was going yesterday. Just didn't know what time. I saw you taxiing in as I came through the gate. How bad are those ruts at Spiral Jetty? A 182 folded it's gear there a few months ago. I know they are rough. I hit one with a 182 last year. I was talking to Allen about getting a few of us together in planes that can land and takeoff in a shorter area and go over with shovels to smooth the ruts out.

Definitely worth the flight over!

The ruts at Spiral are bad. You want to use the northern part of the airstrip. I agree we should form a work party. I could probably be convinced to bring a 4 wheeler and pasture harrow but I'll need some help to load/unload the harrow. I can get my pick up to the jetty, then drag the harrow on the trail to the strip. With enough lead time I can get my Bearhawk neighbor to help me load and come with to help.

It looks like someone has improved the Lower Freemont. It almost looks like an airstrip now instead of a cow trail.

SkySteve wrote:The ruts at Spiral are bad. You want to use the northern part of the airstrip. I agree we should form a work party. I could probably be convinced to bring a 4 wheeler and pasture harrow but I'll need some help to load/unload the harrow. I can get my pick up to the jetty, then drag the harrow on the trail to the strip. With enough lead time I can get my Bearhawk neighbor to help me load and come with to help.

It looks like someone has improved the Lower Freemont. It almost looks like an airstrip now instead of a cow trail.

Good to know. Maybe a late spring work party. I'm in!

Interesting about LF. I was out there in September and it was kind of over grown.

Cory I was over at Kemp working on a miserable Hawker when I peeked outside and saw you doing a run-up. I knew you were going to enjoy a beautiful evening. Let me know when you guys do a work party or any another get together… I'm starting to get comfortable in the plane and I would love to do some west desert strips.

Annual next week-

Nice! I love that last one, haha!

Great pics Cory. Looks like a nice spot to set up camp for a night or two.

Thanks guys! Man, I just wish it wasn't so late in the season. I should have gotten over there in September. I really want to go to camp out there.

Lanny, it was a great day for flying! I hope your annual goes well. We need to get the 205s along the Wasatch together and go play!

Great Photos Cory. Love the final shot too.
Lanny, I missing the Lake! Get a landing in for me out there!

Upper Freemont?

I can neither confirm nor deny… but it is a fine spot…wherever it is...

Very fine spot...wherever it is.

Yep. And since I've never actually been there I was guessing anyway.

heck corey, im only 45 mins away, ill come help if u guys decide to do some repair on that one for sure....just flew over it wed. bringing a pax. from st george....looks like fun....

Count me in and invite for the work party. I can bring lots of stuff:

Cool. Thanks Jo and Cory.

I talked with my Bearhawk neighbor about a spring work party at SJ. He's in. He has a rear scrapper blade for his tractor so we'll trailer his tractor around the north end of the Promontory range to the SJ then drive his tractor to the strip. If some of you guys bring a few shovels and rakes (and of course, some coffee), we should be good to go.