Where are we going today she said? Home I replied. She didn't like that answer and we both couldn't believe it was already Sunday. This is the story of our 2014 Idaho backcountry adventure.

Through clouds and rain we drove in the dark out to the hangar. It was a sign of things to come I recon. With sleep in our eyes, we quietly loaded the Cessna 180. Bag after bag went in and this jigsaw puzzle was becoming complicated. I ran the weight and balance, and all was legal by a wide margin, but getting it all to fit was more complex.

Finally the clouds to the east cleared and we buckled up for our adventure. The feeling of excitement and nervousness began. I planned weeks for this trip. Did we get everything? Will we have any issues? Will Luke do well in the tent? Will the weather cooperate? The list went on and on. This was our first big aircamping trip, soon we would be many miles from home (and from anything really).

It wasn’t long before we landed on the grass at Platte Valley Airport. I looked over the plane and gear one last time, and then began to cram every last drop of fuel in the tanks. The next cheap gas was over 500 miles away in Twin Bridges, MT. A friendly little airport and town, like most rural airports out west.

Smooth flying across WY, but the pesky headwind persisted. After an hour, both Katie and Luke were snoozing in the back seat (lucky them).

Looking at the layer of clouds that delayed our departure


Fuel stop at Platte Valley


Interesting project in an open hangar, wish I had the time for hangar talk.


Luke logging some SIC time


Luke waving to those below


I’ve never seen this part of WY so green



Browns Peak, WY


Shoshone National Forest



Seeing the Grand Teton never gets old


Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone


After topping off at twin bridges, we were nearing our destination; West Fork Lodge, MT. We reserved a cabin, hoping for a good night’s sleep after a long day. Upon arrival, Tex and Heidi greeted us with open arms. The hospitality you receive here is amazing. After stretching our legs and making sandwiches for lunch, we found ourselves in the bright yellow “adventure van”. It’s like a cross between a living room, a school bus, and police cruiser. Pretty cool if you ask me!

I had high expectations for West Fork Lodge, and it delivered. Good flying, scenery, food and accommodations. We shared many stories and slept well that night. Thank you cabin # 3.

The morning sun and cool mountain air brought us out of our bed. I heard the soft roar of a plane in the distance and thought “that must be Willie Stene”. Soon, Willie, Isaac, Katie, Luke, Heidi, Tex and I found ourselves surrounded by coffee, toast, eggs, bacon, biscuits, potatoes and smiles. With full bellies and good stories, our paths departed elsewhere. Willie and Isaac went south to Afton, and we were headed northwest to Moose Creek. A many thanks to Tex and Heidi for a wonderful experience! If you ever find yourself flying over the Bitterroot area, do yourself a favor and swing by West Fork Lodge.

Over Nez Perce Pass, down the Selway, to Moose Creek we go! I’ve spent many nights dreaming about camping with my family at Moose Creek. The wilderness feel in this area is intoxicating; big trees, wild rivers and mountains in all directions.

As we began to unload the wagon, it was clear why a little more nose down trim was required. This plane can haul a serious load compared to the Stinson! Our campsite was chosen and swiftly erected. This is the first time I’ve used new "big" tent, as I usually take a much more minimalist approach to camping. But the extra room and massive vestibule would come in handy with rain on the horizon.

The sunny weather held for a hike down to the Selway River for lunch. That afternoon we took a short flight up to Fish Lake hoping to see a moose (not this time). On the flight back the ceilings lowered and the rain started as dinner was being prepared. That night evening we watched deer, made smores and enjoyed sitting around the campfire as the rain fell overhead. The rain continued and didn’t stop for the next 20 hours. Luke loved the camping experience and became dirty as ever. This was Luke’s first night in a tent, and he was very perplexed as to why the ceiling and walls were making dripping noises, but soon all our eyes became heavy and raindrops on the fly sang us to sleep.

Cheap 100LL and friendly service in Twin Bridges, MT


West Fork Lodge, MT



Lunch time at Cabin #3


Painted Rocks Res


The “adventure van” in Darby, MT


Big rocks in the Bitterroot Range


Luke excited to be at Moose Creek


The 180 can haul


Our campsite




Lunch and rock tossing at the Selway River


Fish Lake





A great ending to a wonderful day


(end of part 1)

Great TR MM, you did a great job writing it.

Awesome, Matt! Thanks for the TR! Skywagons are awesome for backcountry exploring with the family.

Fricken' GREAT!!!

Thanks for the story and the pictures! Allows those of us stuck in the grind a chance to live the backcountry adventure vicariously.

Great TR Matt! Camping comfortably with the whole family in the backcountry is as good as it gets!

Day 3 arrived with more rain and relaxation in the forecast. Low clouds danced throughout the valley and reminded me of smoke from a devouring forest fire. We planning on going to Johnson Creek this morning, but instead we stayed in our sleeping bags far too long, accomplished far too little, and enjoyed life far too much. Here in Colorado, we don’t have many days like this, so I grabbed the camera and tried to capture the moment. The afternoon came and the conditions remained. We made our way up to the Ranger Station and had a great visit with the caretakers. Sara gave us the grand tour and the history of this place soaked us. Sometimes getting stuck somewhere is the best part of going anywhere.

After the afternoon passed, a solid layer of clouds hung high over the river and we began to pack our soggy campsite up and into the wagon (bugs, leaves, sticks and all). I estimated the ceilings to be around 2500ft agl (to my surprised they were even higher) and we departed runway 19 westbound. We wound our way down the Selway hoping to turn southbound when the ceilings lifted. But today was IFR (I Follow Rivers) and we flew the Selway to the Clearwater, then across the valley to Idaho CO (KGIG), dropping into the Salmon River drainage. We continued south up the Salmon for a few dozen miles, but the GDL-39 confirmed my suspicions and we merged right into Hells Canyon.

A rainy day


Trees hidden in the clouds




Luke confined by the walls of the tent


Moose Creek Ranger Office dining hall


Any hand tool one would need found here.




Passing the time by swapping stories


An open gate through Hells Canyon


This was my first time in Hells Canyon over the Snake River, and we weaved between the ID and OR boarders. We overflew Memaloose (25U) and decided to land for a leg stretch. This place has been on my list for many years and it was good to take in the sights and feel the cool air. The clouds were mystical as they would dance up the canyon walls right up to the edge of the strip. For fear of getting socked in, we departed and continued southbound.

Near Oxbow, the sun began to break through, and our chance of reaching McCall was likely. I was still hoping for a shot at Johnson Creek, but the closer we got to McCall, the more conditions deteriorated. Once again in the rain, we entered left downwind for runway 34. Tied down on the tarmac, we chatted with a few other “stranded backcountry aviators” and decided our plans for the evening were too rough it in the Super 8.

After being disconnect for days, the metropolis of McCall reconnected us to all things modern. Our phones began buzzing with missed voicemail, email, and text messages. Crossing the street from the airport to the motel almost seemed hostile. But, we made the best of the evening by eating dinner at the Southside Grill, topping off our snack supply at Ridley’s, and drying out our moist camping gear in the room. (The Super 8 has washers and dryers for a few quarters, which we took advantage of).

Memaloose at the edge of an abyss




One way to dry out the tent


Katie and Luke doing the happy dance after seeing the king size bed.


(End of part 2, Garden Valley next)

Damnit Boy, what a great TR!

Nice work.

Good one Matt!

The route from Moose Creek to West Fork is also awesome, or the opposite like you did, either way

Well written TR. I can't wait for the rest of the story!

Great TR so far Matt! Excited to read the rest!

this has been an awesome TR, great pics and good narration, I am looking forward to more!

Really really great TR Matt! Even better, my wife just said we need to do a cool trip like this...that doesn't happen very often when it comes to her getting in the plane! This TR is like a good book. I'm not looking forward to the end. Keep it going!

AKT

As usual, great stuff Matt.

Thanks guys for the kind words! I'll keep plugging away at this.

AKT - That's awesome man, you need to do it.

Great write up Matt & great pics! Looks like it was a grand adventure, looking forward to the next installment

Excellent account. I especially like the emphasis on family participating in the adventure. It's one thing to go solo and another to keep a young family happy and safe on this type of outing.

Great write up! I'll be in McCall in a couple of weeks and these pics are a great primer. Damn I miss that country!
Anyone who's ever travelled with small children knows what an undertaking it is. Your wife is definitely a keeper if she's willing to put up with an adventure like this.

Great TR Matt!

Love it Matt! Reading this sure brings back great memories of when the kids were a little younger. Rock throwing...still the #1 favorite of my kids. Seeing Luke and Katie I see Adam and Dee. Best memories in the world! The increase in gear is noticeable when you start taking the family too! 300# worth this last trip!