What are the typical opening dates for the various Idaho backcountry airstrips and drainages for a small-wheeled cessna?

are you kidding... you're asking us and you live in Boise?????

iceman wrote:are you kidding... you're asking us and you live in Boise?????

LOL!!

There are no "Opening Dates" that I know of!

For wheels, just when the snow is gone and not too soft for your type plane.

But, I'm no expert on this.

Nothing beats a good old PIREP from a reliable source who knowns how you operate (skill/performance).

In one case that was me. My skis were on and ODT said I could land at Beaver Marsh if the owner said OK, which he did. Never being there before I decided to drive over and walk it first. The snow looked good (there are big rocks under the snow which I did not see until spring ). Anyway, the drive was about 16 hours round trip. But, I did not care it is part of owning an airplane to sometimes investigate on land. I would do it again in an unknown area.

Garden valley and Johnson creek were good two weekends ago, didn't look anywhere else... Check the webcams and see what strips are at similar elevations and drainages. Was a pretty poor snow year so things are clear a but earlier than normal. For the private strips like sulphur ck wait until they are open for business. Temperance creek is usually good most of the winter, just email ahead.

The webcam at smiley creek shows it is still being used for snowmobile riding.

I landed at Moose Creek last Sunday (3/1) and it was completely clear of snow and in good shape. The long runway is closed until later on in the year. Have Fun!

scottf wrote:Garden valley and Johnson creek were good two weekends ago, didn't look anywhere else... Check the webcams and see what strips are at similar elevations and drainages. Was a pretty poor snow year so things are clear a but earlier than normal. For the private strips like sulphur ck wait until they are open for business. Temperance creek is usually good most of the winter, just email ahead.

There's a Web Cam at Garden Valley ? I've seen the Johnson Creek but not Garden Valley -point it out please.

182 STOL driver wrote:

scottf wrote:Garden valley and Johnson creek were good two weekends ago, didn't look anywhere else... Check the webcams and see what strips are at similar elevations and drainages. Was a pretty poor snow year so things are clear a but earlier than normal. For the private strips like sulphur ck wait until they are open for business. Temperance creek is usually good most of the winter, just email ahead.

There's a Web Cam at Garden Valley ? I've seen the Johnson Creek but not Garden Valley -point it out please.

No, didn't mean to imply there is one at GV.

scottf wrote:Garden valley and Johnson creek were good two weekends ago, didn't look anywhere else... Check the webcams and see what strips are at similar elevations and drainages. Was a pretty poor snow year so things are clear a but earlier than normal. For the private strips like sulphur ck wait until they are open for business. Temperance creek is usually good most of the winter, just email ahead.

Thank you for this information Scott, I appreciate it.

Johnson creek has looked good for the last 2 weeks, and if you bring tinsel, there's still time to decorate the tree.

A few weeks ago I saw a post on FB from a guy who had been down the Big Creek Drainage. I don't remember all the strips he had been to, but I do remember him saying Bernard and I think Flying B was in good shape. Like Scott said, I'd think most of the lower ones should be good.

I also saw a post that someone had groundlooped at Elk City. I couldn't tell the type of aircraft from the picture. Hope it wasn't Curtis and his Moose. Anyone know?

Curtis is in Havasu City...only goes up there in non snow weather....

Flew Hells Canyon Saturday the 7th. Everything open and starting to green down low.

I flew into GV Sat. It's landable. It looked like someone landed a bit too early (minor ruts) but its not bad. Campfire smoke was even going.

idair wrote:I flew into GV Sat. It's landable. It looked like someone landed a bit too early (minor ruts) but its not bad. Campfire smoke was even going.

Is it as nice as Hawaii? Glad you got home safe Paul!

It was upper 60s during the day -- nice enough for a short sleeve shirt.

I'm sure it was still cold as hell at night (unlike Hawaii).

Here's your pirep for the Middle Fork someone posted to FB.

thanks for posting that up corey....!
damn for sure looks awfully dry for march....im headed for the B soon, ill shoot a few pics there and up big creek...thanks, again...jo

No problem. Fly safe and let us know how things look that direction. Definitely dry.