I'm planning a trip to the Utah desert next week and am wondering if anyone has been out to Mexican Mountain lately. I've never been there but have read some good trip reports on this site. I also understand that the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association and RAF did some extensive work over 10 days to repair the strip back in October 2014. Any PIREPS would be appreciated, thank you.

http://theraf.org/news/2014/mexican-mountain-airstrip-new

I'm hoping to get to Mexican Mountain the end of next week. If you get there first, please post an update; I'll do likewise. I'll also try to post on the UtahBackcountryPilots.org website.

For what its worth I was there in November.
It was in great shape at that time.

Rezrider was there a few weeks ago and it looks to be in good shape (with the typical cow tracks on the east end).

Video here: https://www.backcountrypilot.org/commun ... ideo-19276

I've seen a few other locals post on FB that they went in last week. From what I could see, it looked fine. They didn't mention any issues.

Thanks for all the PIREPS everyone, they're greatly appreciated. So our plans changed, although I hope to get into Mexican Mountain before the summer heat sets in. My girlfriend and I decided to fly to Escalante and do a multi-day backpacking trip into an area that a friend highly recommended, Coyote Gulch which is about 40 miles southeast of Escalante. Here's a short trip report:

Coyote Gulch is a very scenic and remote red rock canyon with no shortage of amazing cliffs, arches, natural springs and wildlife. We spent 3 days backpacking there and hiked about a total of 19 miles from "Crack In The Wall" aka "40 Mile Ridge" to the parking lot at Hurricane Wash. Here's a website with some photos that are much better than shots I took on my iPhone.
http://www.yourhikeguide.com/coyote-gulch/


We flew into Escalante and had High Adventure Tours shuttle service meet us at the airport to transport us to the trail head and back. They were able to drop us in one location so we could through hike in one trailhead and out another. The drivers were very accommodating. Marc, the driver who returned us to Escalante after our 3 days in the gulch was gracious and offered to take us to my plane so we could unload our gear, transported us to Escalante Outfitters Cafe for dinner and then drove us in his personal vehicle after dinner so we could get back out to the airport for camping. Escalante apparently has a crew car, but it was having a mechanical issue during our visit.
http://www.shuttleescalante.com/

The camping facilities at Escalante airport are excellent. A nice ramada with a fire ring, picnic table, BBQ and someone even left cold beer in the fridge. 1L7 also has a comfortable pilot lounge with a shower. Another pilot told us that the crew car was down with a mechanical issue so you might want to check ahead if you will be needing a car.

Awesome!

I met 3 lurker BCP'er last weekend ferrying a 180 they just bought from California to Texas. They'd stayed at Mexican Mountain the night before (last thursday) and said the strip was in good shape.

Maybe one of them will come out of hiding and actually post a pirep first hand!

That's a gorgeous shot! I really want to get down there and do some hiking. Thanks for the info.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nice TR Whitey!
To the others, I stopped by MM 2 days ago and it's in good shape. The little gnats are out so pack bug spray. Prickly pears are blooming too!

I hope the cows are long gone. When we were there mid-April, there were 20+ cows on and around Mexican Mountain. Rez - you don't have to tell me twice about the no-see-ums. I am a no-see-um magnet. Mike takes me along just to draw them away from him. If you see me out there this weekend, I will be dressed in full hat/no-see-um head net!! Might have to get out the bug spray too this time around too.

Jan

Well SoyA...
The strip was in good shape on 05/20/2016. We didn't walk down to the SE end. But the first half was great, The wind sock is till torn 2/3 of the way. I can tell you when a torn wind sock is standing straight it's windy. The winds were variable and gusty from the south to the east. The approach was sporty.
No bugs that day I think they may have been blown to Oregon. There is still plenty of firewood. We had left some Crown and 7 cooling tied in the current a few hours earlier. We took our chairs down to the river made deep holes for our feet and enjoyed getting out of the wind and talking about future Mods for my new 180.
My computer is being a PITA now. I will try to post a few photos later.


John

I did Mex. Mtn, Eagle City, Hidden Splendor,Angel Point, Dirty Devil. Happy Canyon, Green River Subway(they were out of Ice Cream), but sanwhich and gas was good, Mineral Canyon, they were all good. Center 1/3 of Eagle City probly the best section.
Gary

Nice work John. Congrats on that 180.

Is that strip in Green River next to Subway in reasonable shape? Pilot report?

Thanks,
Jim