Anybody have any info on Cayuse in Northern Idaho? The FS has it listed on their website as an access point to the area but there is no conditions reports. It is not maintained or anything. I am just looking for info like grass length and the general runway surface condition. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jon

whee wrote:Anybody have any info on Cayuse in Northern Idaho?

Here's the info I have from Hanselman's Fly Idaho:

CAYUSE CREEK 46.39.995N 115.04.391W Length:1500FT 02/20 TURF Elev:3500FT Ident:S74

It's in a fairly shallow valley with reasonable approaches (for Idaho!), but it's short and overgrown and a little bumpy. Takeoff only downstream to Northeast!
Supposedly it has great trout fishing. Could be REALLY HOT considering the summer we've had so far...I wouldn't even consider anything below 4700 feet until we've had a real cold front...maybe late August....but then I'm really getting heat intolerant in my old age..(;>)

Rocky

I have not landed at Cayuse Creek in a few years; however, I remember the approach being a lot more scary than Hanselman's RHI in fly Idaho would suggest. As far as fishing goes... I flew into Shearer on Friday and the selway was running REALLY LOW.... more like late august levels... it is a very dry year. It was also extremely hot at Shearer... 95 degrees when I took off at 6pm. I had three big guys with me and had to shuttle one load out to moose creek due to the heat. I would bet that the Cayuse river near the airstrip is barely even flowing right now based upon the low levels of the selway.

Little bit rough, but as Hanselman states "a real sleeper" - I have never seen anyone when I'm there. I would agree with the pucker factor on departure. There are more than a few really tall trees at the departure end that could stand to have some of those steel toothed beavers go to work on them. Fishing for small cutthroat, but still fun!
Matt

Thanks for the info, it was exactly what i was looking for. Hanselman's book says that the FS quite mowing it, does the grass get long there?

I was looking for a place to go this weekend but I think i will head towards Johnson Creek unless my wife finds another place to go.

Jon

whee wrote:Thanks for the info, it was exactly what i was looking for. Hanselman's book says that the FS quite mowing it, does the grass get long there?

I was looking for a place to go this weekend but I think i will head towards Johnson Creek unless my wife finds another place to go.

Jon

The grass will get long by late July, and with the heat and short runway, I'd want a 180 until September unless you're just looking and in and out by 7am.

Have you thought of Chamberlain Basin? It's not as hot and has a 4000 ft runway.....still an early morning/evening deal though....Elevation 5765.

Pretty neat wilderness camping. Just about my favorite of all the Frank strips.

Fires may end up dictating where you go anyway.

Good Luck!

Rocky

You ain't kidding about the fires, one dictated that I would not have to go to work today. Fires are blocking the road. Guess I'll just have to go fishing.

I have thought about Chamberlain and it is an option, the jury is still out on where I am going.

Jon

Landed the cessna 150 in Cayuse creek this morning. What a pretty place! Grass is getting a little tall, but very green with lots of beautiful flowers. I highly recommend! Posted a picture on shortfield airstrip explorer.

Richard

I fished it a couple years ago and did well... 12 to 14 inchers.... was rather bumpy but that was before I put on my 29's.....

Cayuse was fine a couple weeks ago. The grass is getting taller. The surface was average. It is one of the hotter places to think about camping this time of hear, though.

richpiney wrote:Landed the cessna 150 in Cayuse creek this morning.

Yeah, sure you did. And I bet you've landed Mile Hi. Dewey Moore, Vines and Simonds in that 150. It must have a STOL kit on it.

What do you mean, Darin?

lesuther wrote:What do you mean, Darin?

Oh, just giving richpiney a hard time. I know him well and he flys that 150 into places I didn't think a super cub could go. He definitely has Ninja flying chops! I'm sure Cayuse creek was just a warm up for that days' activities.

lol...nice. It wouldn't be the first time I've run into a 150 at Mile Hi.

Post some pics of the 150 at Mile Hi, I'd love to see them. That's awesome you fly it into those kind of places!

I'll leave the pics up to richpiney.... I'm not saying he has been into all those strips but I'm not saying he hasn't. He's a great pilot.

Back to Cayuse Creek.... It looks like a cool place and from what has been said it looks doable in most aircraft if you're up to it and go at right time.

Darin,

If it were true, a 100 hp, cessna 150 with fives all around in the big four,that would be quite the story. The guy would probably want somebody in a stock cessna 182 to take him in first to view conditions on the ground. Probably a home schooled nickel rub wanna be backcountry "pilot" with no responsibilities at home. Where would you practice for that? Perhaps he met and was inspired by Rob taking his 145 hp cessna 170 into mile hi!

Quite a story! If it were true could the backcountry pilot community handle the truth? Talk about a love for the backcountry, that would be it. Enjoy your Fish n Chips!

Richard