Backcountry Pilot

[Alex offline]

I need cool fly-in suggestions for this summer (preferably in the greater Pacific NW.) My wife keeps committing us to non-flying events and the flying is getting crowded out. I need to get some flying on our calendar now! The more ideas the better because, as I said, we are already committed to other travel.

I’d prefer fly-ins which are backcountry in nature but, camping anywhere may have to do. I have a new-to-me Husky and I want to let it roam a little further from home.

I'm in India until June. This site keeps me sane. Thanks!

[heliodriver offline]

Alex, this may a bit far but a good opportunity to put some time on The Husky.......We are having a Helio Fly-In May 16-18 in Oshkosh for Armed Forces day and it is already gathered much interest, so if you would like to come please do

Go here for more info:

http://superstol.org/

There will be EAA photo shoots, cause they will be there, plus free admission to the AirVenture museum

[Zzz]

phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1754

PS: What are you doing in India?

[TomD offline]

You are so close why not pop over to Minam Lodge for the weekend.

If the wife does not like to camp, maybe renting the Tepee would be a good compromise. Wood fired hot tub could sweeten the deal for her.

7OR0 http://www.minamlodgeoutfitters.com/

It is in Wup's back yard so he might be a good source of info.

TD

[skybobb offline]

Alex, Check the calendar of coming events at the top of this forum. Back Country Pilots are meeting at Johnson Creek (3U2) June 27th. Johnson Creek, if your are not familar, Is east of McCall, Id. about 30 miles. Johnson Creek is a great camping spot as it has electricity thus it has showers ( hot water) and great camping facilities. They also have a webcam there. Google Johnson Creek Airport Webcam.
Someone mentioned The Minam Lodge and it is a great place also. If you are not familar with the Minam I have a couple videos about the minam. You can check them out here www.youtube.com/skybobb search: jumping the fence at the minam strip, or Landing at the Minam Lodge #3. This is a beautiful spot on the Minam River about 16 miles east of LaGrande, OR. The strip is 2500' at an elevation of 3600' MSL. I don't know the identifier for the Minam, or if even has one. However the GPS Lat. is 45 - 22.5, Long. 117 - 40.5. Reds Wallowa Horse ranch is just above this strip. The forest Service acquired Reds a number of years back and it no longer is open to the public. Oh! you can land at the strip but the rooms or the cafe is no longer available to the public. I do believe you are permited to camp there. Bob

[mtbowhunter offline]

Alex:

Pick up a copy of GA News if you can, or look at their website. Each edition usually has a list of upcoming aviation events around the country, including fly-ins, broken down by region. Not all are backcounty related though.

[Grassstrippilot offline]

I found this site a few years ago that seems to be good.

http://www.fly-ins.com/flyins/find_even ... l(0CppkxOL

[Alex offline]

Thanks for the ideas on fly-ins. I will get planning asap. I am aware of the BCP Fly-in at Johnson Creek. I hope to make that one and put some names together with faces. I dont get back from India until the second week of June so, I have a bit of a steep re-learning curve to get my flying skills back in shape. We'll see.

My wife took a 6 month consulting gig with Microsoft India. I'm a stay-at-home dad here (and when I'm at home.) I have one twelve-year-old boy and we hang out together when my wife's away on business.

India is wild and boy, it sure takes some getting used to. I've written more and posted pictures on our blog site: Alexanitabayley.blogspot.com Check it out if you want.

Alex

[heliodriver offline]

Well, since I live in Oshkosh here's this also:

http://www.eaa.org

All Airventure is up now for 2008, including the F-22 Raptors.........

Ah!!!! jet noise!!!

[FloatFlyer offline]

For a nice adventure fly up to Nimpo Lake, BC for the annual meeting of the British Columbia Floatplane Association meeting. 3yrs ago I flew my C-185 there and landed on a dirt strip . Nice camping and a great bunch of guys, awesome food, and always an interesting meeting.

The past 2 yrs I have been on floats but the dirt strip is used routinely by wheeled planes, but you do have to pay attention. The meeting is July 18, 19, & 20th. This is a great opportunity to meet guys that have flown around BC for decades. That alone is worth the trip. The BC Floatplane Assoc is also very active on behalf of all BC flyers to keep BC Parks from closing access. Ford

[skybobb offline]

Chilko Lake, BC is a beautiful place also. Bob

[Redbaron180 offline]

There is a Fathers day Fly inn (June 15) at Tonasket WA (W01) every year that is fun, campers welcome. They have barbecues and breakfasts and such. I have a 1500 foot strip about 6 miles North East of there (Fowler on the chart) and We are going to invite people who want it a little more primitive to camp here. We have a little old log cabin that we have fixed up for a bunkhouse, it has a stove, 3 bunks an outhouse and there is non potable water near by. The strip is pretty flat, open approach to the North West, and not too bad to the South East. Plenty of room for tenting but the off strip areas can be pretty rough, you might want to get out and look before going off runway. Planes with smaller tires than 6:00x6 are not recommended and operations are at the users own risk. Oh, and there are sometimes cows around (open range) so watch out. Looking forward to seeing some activity then.

[scouter114 offline]

hey Im having a dirt only porker run on april 20th. It will be around eastern or and sw Idaho

[Alex offline]

I like the Father's day idea. Except that's when I'll need to be with the family.

Maybe I can just get myself over to Johnson Creek anytime I feel like I'm ready. It sounds like there's almost always something going on there. I'm assuming it's open to anyone no matter what the fly-in is at the time. But, if I fly in with my Husky on Super Cub day or Maule day or whatever, what's that going to feel like? Anyone had such an experiance?

Please keep the suggestions coming. Looking for interesting, off-the-beaten-path fly-ins in the grater Pacific NW.

Thanks,

Alex

[skybobb offline]

Alex, If you are going to Johnson Creek in June stop by in Vale and we could fly in together. I am planning on going to JC too and from Bend I should be just about on your route. Let me know if you are interested. Bob

[OregonMaule offline]

Alex, I like this one.

BTW I have a vacation home on Round Butte Hill west of Madras. We should try and get together some time.

Rob

51th annual Kiwanis charity Fly-in Cruise-in Breakfast

25 miles SE of Portland, Oregon in the shadow of Mt. Hood.
Sunday, July 27, 2008 7AM 12 PM

This is definitely worth your time. The whole event is beautiful. This is the 1 time a year we can land on this private turf strip.

Planes, Hot Rods, Bikes, Music, Food. What more could you want? Last year 40-50 planes, 300-400 Hot Rods.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/OG29 Temporary Unicom 122.8

[iceman offline]

[quote="Alex"]I like the Father's day idea. Except that's when I'll need to be with the family.

Maybe I can just get myself over to Johnson Creek anytime I feel like I'm ready. It sounds like there's almost always something going on there. I'm assuming it's open to anyone no matter what the fly-in is at the time. But, if I fly in with my Husky on Super Cub day or Maule day or whatever, what's that going to feel like? Anyone had such an experiance?

Please keep the suggestions coming. Looking for interesting, off-the-beaten-path fly-ins in the grater Pacific NW.

Thanks,Alex, I flew my Tripacer to JC every year for the past 7 years at various times in the summer. One summer I was fortunate enough to be there during the Maule fly I had a great time and the Maule folks were most friendly and a general all around great bunch. Doesn't matter that I was flying a lowly Tripacer. Anyway I now fly the M4. I would stay away during the 180/185 fly in though. Only because it's so crowded you won't find an empty camp spot or parking spot. besides I thought you could take a Husky Anywhere.

[Alex offline]

The Husky can go anywhere. I just don't know that I can - yet.

I've been to several Idaho backcountry strips when I had my C185. I took the McCall Mtn Flying course and they showed me the ropes. I think I can get into any with the Husky that I got into with the C185. But, I'm still warming up with the Husky. I'll start with the strips I am familier with, them go from there.

Alex

[iceman offline]

Yes most are fairly easy, it's the approaches that are different. I've been to most of the ones on the middle fork and big creek> Haven't been to vines, or dewey but Dewey can wait. Mile hi can wait too. Shearer and cayuse are nice strips and good fishing at both. Very good fishing at Upper loon about a mile upstream from the strip down to it. Haven't fished below the strip yet. Cabin has great fishing as I suppose all the strips on big creek do. Fished sulphur creek one year although the owner was away and the help said "go ahead" Found out later he was pretty upset about it. Haven't fished it since. But there are new owners, and if you can get permission to fish the creek it is fabulous, or was the day I fished it. Lots of cutthroats in the 15-18 inch range. Caught fish at Thomas, down stream from the strip as well as at sunflower flats about a mile upstream where the hot spring are. Looking forward to seeing you at the fly in in June..... Iceman

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Reading this thread made me remember a question that I've had. Maybe one of you guys would know the answer.

What is the strip between Big Creek and Cabin Creek, on the south side of the river. If I remember right, it seemed to be in good shape, I would say 1500 - 2000 ft, and sits on an area where the river bows out so that the river kind of sits on both ends of the strip. Anyway, I've seen it a couple of times and it's not charted.