Anyone been into Minam River Lodge lately? I'm thinking about heading out there next Monday or Tuesday, weather permitting Any recent PIREP's would be greatly appreciated!

According to their website: "The Minam River Lodge and cabins are undergoing a much-needed renovation! We have a team of highly skilled craftsmen rebuilding the original log-cabin structures from the ground up. We are open for business during the project, which will last at least through 2014, but we may limit reservations during this period and appreciate your patience with a little extra activity, dust and noise around the Lodge."

Scott, we are headed that direction this Sat., 6/21 staying at Red's and walking over to Minam for breakfast........will let you know.

John

Thanks John

You might want to camp at reds, Minam wants 30. Bucks to camp under you wing ,

I have been in there twice in the last week or so, the strip is good. I have not landed at Reds. Took a 206 in there, hauling passengers in and out, the strip at Minam is well-maintained but a little bumpy. They were mowing it the other day just after I was in there.

straight tail wrote:You might want to camp at reds, Minam wants 30. Bucks to camp under you wing ,

Thanks for the advice, Maybe that's what I'll do. Hopefully the nice weather will hold!!

Was there a few weeks back. Strip is in good shape. Reds has tall grass and hasn't been mowed yet.

Regarding the $30 fee....why don't you consider that an investment in keeping it open. We're fortunate that someone bought it that wants to keep it open to the flying public. There's really no free lunch and if $30 is going to make your go/no go decision, maybe take up a different hobby.

HuskyPilot wrote:Regarding the $30 fee....why don't you consider that an investment in keeping it open. We're fortunate that someone bought it that wants to keep it open to the flying public. There's really no free lunch and if $30 is going to make your go/no go decision, maybe take up a different hobby.

I agree.
Like using a crew car at an FBO to drive into town to buy Mogas for the plane!

HuskyPilot wrote:Was there a few weeks back. Strip is in good shape. Reds has tall grass and hasn't been mowed yet.

Regarding the $30 fee....why don't you consider that an investment in keeping it open. We're fortunate that someone bought it that wants to keep it open to the flying public. There's really no free lunch and if $30 is going to make your go/no go decision, maybe take up a different hobby.

Good point. I'd really like to see them succeed, so I guess I'll be staying there. Shower and hot tub would be nice anyway! Well worth the fee.

Took me a few days to get account access so I'm not sure if you've made it in there yet. I was there last Friday the 20th and the Minam strip was good, but had standing water from a recent downpour on the edges. We hopped the fence over to Red's and the strip had been mowed, but not well. It was also pretty wet and spongy in spots. The NW 800' or so from the parking area and the trail that crosses the runway had not been mowed. That leaves the Red's strip at about 1900' according to Google Earth. I was able to get in and out of both in my 74 Warrior with no problem though.

I'll put the 30 in for gas ,U can camp there all u want for 30 dollars I'll go to reds for the right price ....and about every where else

Well, got back from Minam yesterday and it was a great trip. Fished all day on Tuesday and only got one yank, but Wednesday......caught the biggest brown trout I've ever seen! I swear it was 15 pounds! Thought it was a salmon at first. After fighting with it for about 10-15 minutes finally got it in close enough to see what it was. A monster!

The caretakers were great. Very helpful and super nice. They've built a new shower house and bathroom and are in the process of tearing down a couple of the old bunkhouses and building some new ones. I camped out in my tent under the wing. Ate my breakfasts and dinners in the Lodge and they were very good.

Lots of wildlife in the area. Ran across a covey of wild turkeys, and there was a deer with her fawn frequenting the runway and adjacent area. Always a pleasant sight. She was pretty tame.

Hiked over to Reds to check out the strip and it was in good shape, but a little soggy in a few spots. All in all I was glad I landed at Minam. Water was running a little high in the river, about 13-1400 CFS, so I didn't try taking my Alpaca out into the river.





So if you get a chance, definitely check it out!!

Spent last saturday night at Minam, had the pleasure of meeting scotttnt and his copilot there too. I haven't been there for a few years and it's incredible to see the clean up and construction efforts underway by the new owner. I had my wife and mother along so we splurged on the newly (re)built Boulder cabin. It's beautifully crafted and very comfortable. The renovation, to include the main lodge, is expected to last through the '15 season, when it's all done the whole operation is going to be amazing.

Even if you don't end up staying in any of their structures it's worth going in sometime for a meal. The garden is impressive and provides them with farmer's-market worthy fresh ingredients.

If you do end up visiting be on the lookout for tractor/gator traffic crossing the runway. Their sawmill is set up on the far side and the construction crews are making frequent trips back and forth. The strip itself is in good condition aside from some mild rutting from the tractors.

We walked up to Reds and their strip look to be in good shape too, looked like it had been recently mowed.