By now it was no surprise that on Friday we woke up to rain and IFR conditions. Some trips you hurry up then wait, this one you wait then hurry up. I always get really excited on flying trips and wake up early as my mind is ablaze with thoughts of the day. Katie and Luke were still in deep sleep so I snuck out to check weather and walk around McCall. A trip to the airport for a weather check was depressing, rain and low clouds throughout the day. The TAF did show ceilings would lift a bit midday, which was good because it was a straight shot south over the lake and down the valley to Garden Valley.

On past ID trips, my McCall visits were limited to a fuel and beer run, then back to 3U2. This time I wore McCall out as I must have walked 8 miles around the town. A trip to the marina, down main street, over to the Pancake House for brunch, another snack run at Ridley’s, and a half dozen trips from Super 8 to the airport. Pretty place to call home if you ask me, friendly folks abound (or maybe friendly tourists?).

With the plane packed (I was getting good at fitting all the pieces together by now) we waited for the ceilings to lift. We enjoyed the company of other stranded backcountry pilots and passengers in the Epic Aviation lounge. It wasn’t long before the ramp at KMYL looked like a beehive when the could base and visibility improved.

A line of showers had us leaning to the east as we went GPS direct to U88. Luke was getting the hang of flying at this point. Katie would get him buckled up in the car seat, he would get fussy just long enough to make background noise for all my radio calls, and then fall fast asleep. Soon would be on left base for runway 10 at Garden Valley and the fly-in portion of this adventure would begin.

Morning gloom at McCall




Strange little bird I parked next to, any ideas what it is?




A quiet day on the lake




Luke eyeing the candy at the Pancake House


Garden Valley airport is a refreshing little place; it's not Moose Creek, it's not McCall, but the perhaps the best of both. The Payette River is very picturesque running aside the green grass of the airstrip. The carpet of grass in the camping area was a welcomed sight as Luke could crawl around as he pleased without becoming a filthy mess. Not only were the facilities excellent here, but the sun was also shinning!

As the O-470 was cooling we were greeted by many smiles and old friends. A BCP fly-in is kind of like a family reunion without the family drama and weird uncle who smells like cat litter. Shortly after unloading the 180 (thanks for the helping hands) we watched as a Sikorsky Fire helicopter was practicing touch and goes. It was slow, low, big and loud; Luke loved it.

While setting up the tent, another arrival landed and pulled up next to the 180. This was none other than Ohio Evan in the Super Savage. I grabbed my camera and wanted to capture the moment with perhaps an Irish Jig, but he pretty much fell out of the little beast announcing he had serious back and butt issues from the 28 hour migration west. Evan is a trooper and everyone enjoyed his company and charm.

That evening we departed for a short canyon flight up to Warm Springs. The mission included the 1 mile hike to the Bonneville Hot Springs. To our surprised the campgrounds were full but the hot springs were vacant. We changed into swim attire and made our way from pools of scolding hot to freezing cold. Somewhere around the big rock was the perfect blend of just right and we lay immersed in good times for the next hour.

The day was rounded off by a short flight back to U88, a tasty mac & meat dinner, more friendly chatter, and many laughs and stories told around the community campfire. A few stories towards the end had some of us ejecting alcoholic beverage through the nasal cavity. Good times!

The Sikorsky demanded attention




Base camp for the weekend


Ohio Evan meets Garden Valley


Evan also knows how to pack a load.


Hiking from Warm Springs to Bonneville Hot Springs


The hot springs are awesome.




Gorgeous sunset and a perfect end to the day


(End of Part 3)

Awesome TR! Hope to make a BCP flyin around there one of these years soon! Looks like a great time with great folks!

Hi Matt. Hey, great trip report, almost feel as though I there also. Don't want to dispute the Choss...but, the strange little plane is an Interstate L-6.The militarized version of the "Cadet". This one has of course been up engined, and somewhat bushed up. The observer windows make it feel very roomy inside for a 2 place tandem.
Keep up the good work on the TR.

chosstronaut wrote:

mountainmatt wrote:
Strange little bird I parked next to, any ideas what it is?

It's an experimental Swan, based off an L2 Bird Dog. I think there is one other one somewhat like it on the other side of the country. This one is based out of Cottage Grove (61S) here in Oregon.

scruiser wrote:Hi Matt. Hey, great trip report, almost feel as though I there also. Don't want to dispute the Choss...but, the strange little plane is an Interstate L-6.The militarized version of the "Cadet". This one has of course been up engined, and somewhat bushed up. The observer windows make it feel very roomy inside for a 2 place tandem.
Keep up the good work on the TR.

scruiser has it right i spoke to the owner at cottage grove, (had a fly-in) it's a mix of a interstate with aeronca landing gear and a 160 hp lyc. it also has floats it can go on,

they just got back from there trip the day of the fly-in at cottage grove

Great report Matt - epic photos. That is living right there!
Did you think about putting the smaller shoes on the 'wagon for the trip, seeing as you were going cross-country?

Excellent TR!!

Sounds like a great trip! Thanks for spending the time to write it out for us that couldn't make it!

Good on you for this great trip report. You'll be thankful for many years to come that you got such great photos of the family. I'm on the edge of my seat for the remainder.

Awesome

Great TR! It is great to read your enthusiasm looking forward at the last week we have left up here. Im already looking forward to another early fall trip in cooler weather down lower.

We have been sliding into some strips in the Selway and the Church with over 45 miles of trails underfoot, great fishing holes, a great kayak float, and a few hot springs so far, based out of the Bitterroot Valley and some other spots. It is amazing how quiet the backcountry is this year, and how green everything still is with no fires (yet). Nothing but smiles, mountains filling the view, great memories, and cold beer in the snowbanks along the way.

Very fun...love the photos too...

Matt - Great writing and photos - you really captured the essence of this experience and put us right into the midst of this adventure! I tell those doubters about taking their families on these adventures that you CAN take your family on these trips. I point them the posts from you and others on this forum.

We enjoyed meeting you and your wife Katie and that sweet little boy Luke at Garden Valley.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Jan & Mike (the Rebel people)

All good things must come to an end, but Saturday felt more like the beginning. Unlike the last few days, the thin layer of overcast quickly gave way to blue skies and the smell of burnt avgas. One by one, planes departed runway 28 to the north and south, east and west. Some went to Idaho City, others to Cascade, and we were headed to Sulphur Creek. We departed behind two Canadian Texans driving Aviat Husky’s, and our paths crossed over Deadwood Reservoir enroute to ID74.

For me, there’s one thing I must do while visiting the Idaho backcountry, and that’s breakfast at Sulphur Creek. After landing we taxied past the Oregon crew finishing up their morning fishing and made our way inside, hoping the grill wasn’t shut off (better late than never). The eggs, bacon, biscuits, hash browns and cookies tasted as good as I remembered 2 years ago, and if you leave here hungry, it’s your own fault. Kiere and Luke had a thing going on, and we had an instant babysitter during our visit. I can’t say enough good things about Kiere and ValDean, they make the time spent at Sulphur Creek truly remarkable.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone….


The Oregon crew at Sulphur Creek


The cure for hunger


Luke found a friend


I love this picture, Luke and Blade paying attention


Another one of my favorites


A pack of Huskies


From there we continued north down the valley to Johnson Creek. For any backcountry aviator, the sight of Johnson Creek in the windscreen always gets the blood pumping. Not because it’s a manicured grass strip at the bottom of a deep valley, but because once on the ground you know it will yield an instant good time. I believe JC is a place that requires a smile to be worn at all times. Our short visit was no different as we enjoyed walking the runway visiting with friends along the way.

From Johnson Creek, mountains and valleys passed below us as we tracked 150°, 78 miles south to Atlanta, ID. The Sawtooth Range is just as impressive from the west side as it is from the east side, and after landing we joined the gaggle of planes already there. Parked between the boulders, we applied sun screen for safety and began our hike down Airport Rd. A left at China basin Rd, a right across the bridge and a left at the top of the hill near the helipad had us walking through a meadow as Pops circled overhead. Having been here only on Google Earth, I started to second guess myself as we had been walking for quite some time. Memory as my map, we pressed on for what seemed like another mile and were rewarded with a splendid sight.

Chattanooga Hot Springs sits at the base of a weeping wall of hot sulfur bliss. Today was our lucky day as we were the only people here and we descended the sandy slope to the springs with caution. The small pool is lined with rocks accompanied by a sandy bottom. The temp was not hot, nor cold, but perhaps even with body temperature. To the front of lie the Middle Fork Boise River and to the rear lay a small waterfall. Between the two was my family, and all seemed right with the world.

Back at the plane we departed with the wind on our tail, bouncing our way back to Garden Valley. By now there were 30+ planes lining the south side of the strip. Luke went down for a nap and I went into raffle mode. Dinner was one big meet and greet, and the fine folks in Gadsden Air Corps grilled up some delicious burgers and brats. Cory and Crew, I can’t say thank you enough for all your hard work throughout the week!

After dinner the raffle started and dozens of great prizes were given away (Todd from Texas won the AK ski trip). A many thanks to all those who supported the raffle through donations and tickets, a great example of the fine group of people that make up this community. As the raffle ended, a few departed back to Johnson Creek and others departed for the pattern to give us a STOL demo (smoke was added to increase difficulty). There were no winners or losers, no numbers kept, no scratches or disqualifications, only impressed bystanders holding their beverage of choice cheering on each passing plane. I think all in attendance can agree we witnessed some ridiculously short landings that evening.

Dee making everyone laugh at Johnson Creek


A Skywagon departs 3U2


BCPers at Atlanta


Chattanooga Hot Springs = Incredible


Pops is all smiles making ice cream


The Saturday afternoon lineup at Garden Valley


These guys put one heck of a STOL show


Don’t blink or you’ll miss the landing.


Pops makes any campfire unforgettable


(end of part 4, the trip home and final thoughts next)

A story like this is hard to end, and a trip like this could never be long enough. It’s the people that make fly-ins so special, and after saying countless goodbyes, it was time to pack up camp one last time. It was hard to leave Garden Valley and I walked around gingerly making sure we didn’t forget anything (a good excuse to stay at this beautiful place for a few more minutes). When the excuses to stay ran out, we loaded into the wagon and made a slow taxi to runway 28. Our planned route would take us to Gooding (KGNG) for gas, then direct home. South of Idaho City I spotted 2 Husky's, and they passed under us flying slow though the canyons, In my mind I swooped down and flew formation with them, but in reality no control inputs were made. The only objective today was to swiftly arrive home safely.

Soon Arrowhead Reservoir would be off our 6 o’clock and KGNG appeared at 12 o’clock. As we went lower, the temp went higher and we entered a left downwind for 25. I was hoping for more a little more than just cheap gas at Gooding, but on this quiet Sunday, no one could be found for a ride to town. (I was desperately craving a cup of coffee.) With the tanks filled, and our bladders emptied, we agreed it was best to just press onward.

The last leg of our trip was a long 607 miles over parts of ID, UT, WY and CO. With the wind on our tail, the magic wagon reported a groundspeed of 180 mph en route. Geographic features such as Bear Lake, The Flaming Gorge, and Rabbit Ears Pass passed thousands of feet below us. Crossing Rollins Pass the city of Denver appeared, and thoughts of the hustle and bustle rushed into my conscious. It was a blistering hot day along the Front Range, and sweat appeared on my brow as we darted under class bravo airspace. Familiar landmarks appeared and within minutes we touched down on the dirt strip. Rolling up to the vacant hangar meant this adventure had ended, but I was overjoyed because I knew this was just the beginning. My first Idaho backcountry family camping experience would certainly not be my last!

This Sunday morning had the wagons packing


Topping of the tanks at Gooding


Bear Lake on a beautiful day


Flaming Gorge Reservoir, WY


Crossing Rollins Pass headed for home


Final thoughts:
To say I feel very blessed would be an understatement, but it’s the simplest expression I can use for this trip. Landing on a high mountain strip or challenging gravel bar is beyond cool, but for me, a trip like this is the ultimate. At first, I didn’t write this trip report with the intentions of sharing it, but it’s just too good of a story to keep to myself. Posting it here also motivated me to keep writing, and I probably would have never finished if I hadn’t. Thank you for your comments and kind words. One day, when Luke thinks I'm no longer cool, I can sit down and read this while drinking a bottle of fine aged, single malt scotch whiskey.

2020 miles traveled

163 gallons consumed

16.7 hours flown

2 quarts of oil added

26 diapers changed

Infinite memories made

-MM

Oregon180 wrote:Awesome, Matt! Thanks for the TR! Skywagons are awesome for backcountry exploring with the family.

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

Grassstrippilot wrote: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!

A big thanks to you guys! Seeing you in the backcountry with your families inspired me to take the plunge.

scruiser wrote:Hi Matt. Hey, great trip report, almost feel as though I there also. Don't want to dispute the Choss...but, the strange little plane is an Interstate L-6.The militarized version of the "Cadet". This one has of course been up engined, and somewhat bushed up. The observer windows make it feel very roomy inside for a 2 place tandem.
Keep up the good work on the TR.

Thanks scruiser, just the info I was looking for.

Excellent TR Matt! It reminds me of the good times Stacey and I had on our 3 week trip last year.

robw56 wrote:Excellent TR Matt! It reminds me of the good times Stacey and I had on our 3 week trip last year.

Thanks Rob! You have some great memories to look forward to!