Hello Backcountry Pilots,
I found a couple of abandoned airstips on the lower Salmon River in Idaho utilizing google earth, an amazing tool! Anyway I had the opportunity to land there first in a helicopter yesterday to look for obstructions. I can't afford to learn about obstructions like, barb wire, badger holes ect. "the hard way" in my airplane.

One of the airstips is located at the mouth of Eagle Creek on the lower Salmon River on Idaho Fish & Game Land. The other airstip is located downsteam on the south side of the river on a private ranch. This airstip is short, narrow, steep, with powerlines, and makes the Mile High airstip look like the long runway at Edwards AFB.

I've attached some pictures of my Salmon River/Hells Canyon Adventure today. Enjoying our easy winter.

James

Eagle Creek International Airstip:




Salmon River Ridgline Airstip:

WOW James, looks great. Fly safe....Rob

RobBurson wrote:WOW James, looks great. Fly safe....Rob

On my SPOT page you'll find some airstrips I've found in the area where I live. There is several
within city limits of Henderson .

James,
I always enjoy your pictures. The maule looks good with the big shoes.

james wrote:Hello Backcountry Pilots,
! Anyway I had the opportunity to land there first in a helicopter yesterday to look for obstructions. I can't afford to learn about obstructions like, barb wire, badger holes ect. "the hard way" in my airplane.

Since I cant afford to either,I would enjoy scoping out places to land in a heli-chopper rather than risking my airplane as well. PM me and lets set up a time to look at some spots in that heli-chopper,,,,,, Good times

Landing in a helicopter to check conditions before taking the airplane in??? THAT'S CHEATING, NO FAIR!

courierguy wrote:Landing in a helicopter to check conditions before taking the airplane in??? THAT'S CHEATING, NO FAIR!

I for one, strongly agree with Courierguy!!



Looks like your having all the fun, James! Do you have the newest (2009) Idaho State Aeronautical Map? It shows a lot of strips that are not on the regular Salt Lake, Great Falls sectionals. I picked mine up at JC this last summer.

Keep the pictures coming, too. I'm one of the ones that enjoy looking at pictures like yours with the plane and strips.

Nice, James! Let's go heli-skiing, man...haha.

1SeventyZ wrote:Nice, James! Let's go heli-skiing, man...haha.

Sounds like a "Heli-good time"........

I know, lame

Nice pics. We were into the Eagle Creek strip last fall on the way to Whapsheeli (sp?), nice joint. I got a buddy that's landed that ridgeline a few times but we just kept going that day. There are two or three more down that way too. Private though.
It's fun exploring even when you're cheating!
I think I recognize that long Ranger.

james wrote:Hello Backcountry Pilots,
I found a couple of abandoned airstips on the lower Salmon River in Idaho utilizing google earth, an amazing tool! Anyway I had the opportunity to land there first in a helicopter yesterday to look for obstructions. I can't afford to learn about obstructions like, barb wire, badger holes ect. "the hard way" in my airplane.

Very nice. Add 'em to Shortfield.com if you can.

Hello Lowflying G3 & Ground Looper,
That's cool that you have landed at Eagle Creek too. There is another airstip down there called Divide Creek that might be on BLM Land. Years ago my brother shot a huge mule deer off the strip and flew it out in a L-19 Bird dog. Are you familiar with the Divide Creek Airstip coordinates?

As far as shortfield.com goes its a great site too, but I can't post anything because of password issues/problems. I'm computer challenged! Anyway I got some real good pictures of the Salmon Bar Airstip too. Look forward to some more airstip exploring as the weather gets better.

Thanks,

James
Eagle Creek International Airstip:
150 KTS in a Maule with 29' tires and a DC-3 tailwheel too?
Salmon Bar Airstrip:

James,
A little off topic, but what does your M-4 weigh? The factory specs say they are in the 1220-1250 range with the 210 cont. where the m-5's and up are all in the 1500#++++ range.

Hello Highroad,

We are re-weighing my Maule at its' annual this February. Mine is listed at 1480 pounds with all its IFR radios, ADF, two VORS ect. When I recover it with a lighter fabric, and remove some radios, and insulation, I'd estimate 1325 pounds with the big tires and tailwheel. Gross weight is 2300 lbs.

James

Thanks James. Again, nice flying and looking forward to getting back out to Idaho/Washington. I have been hearing about Cabin Creek and that the snow melts off of the airstrip before most of the other strips are clear?

James,
I'll add those strips to the database and add your photos.

I'll reset your shortfield.com password and email it to you. On that note, Zane and I looking ito synchronizing the user between shortfield and BCP, so that there will be just one username and password for both sites.

Thanks,
Chris

chrisg wrote: On that note, Zane and I looking ito synchronizing the user between shortfield and BCP, so that there will be just one username and password for both sites.

Thanks,
Chris

Great idea.
tom