Greetings all:
I am planning a trip from Southern Cal to Kamloops late August. Would like to make at least one stop in Idaho on the way home. Have done limited research here but primarily looking for recomendations for fun stops in Idaho.
Would really appreciate some ideas based on easiest places to land in the back country.
My plane is a Turbo Arrow so please take that into account. I have limited mountain flying experience. Tahoe, Big Bear, Yosemite. Lots of experience on short unpaved runways in Mexico. And plenty of DA experience as I do lots of desert flying in the summer (Turbo helps).
Hoping to get airports that have handled PA-28s or similar in the past. It looked like Johnson Valley is the best option. Also would be great if there were activities there for my 13 year old son.
Please don't be to hard on me here. Let the harsh warnings begin!
Andy

First off it would be handy to know what State "Kamloops" is in. There is no Kamloops in Idaho from my research.

exodus wrote:First off it would be handy to know what State "Kamloops" is in. There is no Kamloops in Idaho from my research.

Gump

Kamloops, BC?? (https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=ka ... c&ie=UTF-8)

Gump. Your avatar is disgusting, if you don't mind me say'in. Lord knows what dark and dank corner of the internet you dredged that up from. Calvin and Hobbs was a little more classy.

Tough crowd.

Welcome!

Sorry Kamloops is just above the border Canada

welcome andy, i would do mc call. if you feel like back country hit johnson creek 3u2

cheers...rob

OregonMaule wrote:welcome andy, i would do mc call. if you feel like back country hit johnson creek 3u2

cheers...rob

X2

Gump

GumpAir wrote:

OregonMaule wrote:welcome andy, i would do mc call. if you feel like back country hit johnson creek 3u2

cheers...rob

X2

Gump

x3
Gump ur dizgusting their gonna miss sometime and ur gonna have to clean up a big mess

Glidergeek wrote:

GumpAir wrote:

OregonMaule wrote:welcome andy, i would do mc call. if you feel like back country hit johnson creek 3u2

cheers...rob

X2

Gump

x3
Gump ur dizgusting their gonna miss sometime and ur gonna have to clean up a big mess

quit changing ur avitar

Glidergeek wrote:x3

Gump ur dizgusting their gonna miss sometime and ur gonna have to clean up a big mess

I know, and proud of it.

I used to live in pilot houses with no running water and honey buckets. I'm good at that shit!!!!

Andy... You can't go wrong with McCall, and Johnson Creek is the crown jewel of the grass strips, and a piece of cake for your airplane.

Gump

Glidergeek wrote:quit changing ur avitar

Nawwwww. I was tired of it anyway.

And Andy, as long as you're all the way up in Kamloops, think about a BC sidetrip too. Bella Coola is about 2 hours or less away for you, and takes you into the some of the most beautiful flying in the province.

http://skyvector.com/airport/CYBD/Bella-Coola-Airport

Over Nimpo Lake, Charlotte Lake, Hunlen Falls, and then down the Atnarko River to the Bella Coola River, and on into Hagensborg and the airport. It's breathtaking.



Worth seeing, and it certainly ain't SoCal.



Gump

If ur into fishing maybe moose creek. Two nice and easy grass strips with the selway and moose creek bordering the airfield. Great camping and a couple outhouses. Campfires are permitted. Its good to go.

Gump, love the avatar. Keep it up. I must be confused with someone who gives a shit.

There is another major issue that you didn't mention. In addition to short strips and density altitude, one needs to be cognizant of canyon winds. A good rule of thumb is don't fly in canyons after 10AM because the sun bakes the (remarkably deep) canyon walls and creates huge thermals, which have corresponding huge downdrafts and squirrely winds connecting the two right where you least expect them.

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but here is a variety of longer strips with fairly safe approaches. They aren't particularly challenging, but each is a fine destination. You can use the ones in central Idaho as a base camp to drop off your camping gear and visit nearby challenging strips at a lighter weight.

Cavanaugh Bay - tent camping or stay at the resort
Moose Creek - tent camping, lower altitude so it can be uncomfortably warm in the summer
Johnson Creek - tent camping with hot showers and wifi internet access
Chamberlain Basin - tent camping, isolated, listen to the wolves
Indian Creek - tent camping, busy with people flying in for rafting
Big Creek - tent camping, FS fee campsite at upper end of runway, but pitch tent under your wing for free
Sulphur Creek Ranch - privately owned, stay and/or eat at the lodge

Garden Valley....new showers, nice strip (followed a Bonanaza in there in June), nice camp spot next to the river, courtesy vehicle.
Welcome to the site.
HC

Mackay Bar is supposed to have a lodge. Anyone have experience with Mackay Bar? How bout non tail dragger types going in to that strip?
Thanks again for all the great suggestions.

andybean wrote:Mackay Bar is supposed to have a lodge. Anyone have experience with Mackay Bar? How bout non tail dragger types going in to that strip?
Thanks again for all the great suggestions.

It's a very smooth strip, and it's no problem for nose draggers. It's private, and you're supposed to call first for permission to land. You asked for the easiest strips, but I've never heard anyone lump Mackay Bar in with the easiest ones. Your speed and altitude have to be perfect on the approach, but you can't see the runway until you turn onto final. Only you will know if you shouldn't try it. Search youtube for mackay bar approach to see the terrain and some landings. Wind permitting, it's customary to land downstream and takeoff upstream. Note that it's at the confluence of the south fork and main fork of the salmon, which can make for some unpredictable winds.