How,s Montana backcountry flying?
Are there some fun backcountry strips?

Planning an Idaho/Montana trip at the end of May.

Get Fly the Big Sky.

Lots of cool strips.

Schafer Meadow is probably the best spot of all with Spotted Bear, Meadow Creek and Ryan Field nearby for fly outs or camp in. West Fork Lodge is a gem with easy access to a lot of Idaho strips. You can rent a cabin there and have dinner at the bar, really nice spot. Then for something completely different up in the Missouri Breaks I would recommend Heller Bottom to camp with Cow Creek, Bullwacker and other USFS strips in the area. The Breaks strips are not found on many maps and I have not seen the most recent sectionals to know. I think a google search will turn up GPS coordinates.

All the Missouri Breaks strips are on sectionals now, including ForeFlight.

Those are all on BLM land, not Forest Service, except for Heller, which is private.

MTV

Idaho is amazing, but Montana is my favorite!!! It's unfortunate that so many jaw dropping strips are no longer open, but I'm more into the flying than the strip bagging. Also, Stene Aviation is in MT, so be sure to stop by Polson and say hi to Willie, he's good as gold [emoji16]

Montana is awesome and definitely warrants a visit! I am biased as I grew up and learned to fly there. The handful of strips in western Montana are fun and very pretty IMO, but not challenging compared to some of the stuff in Idaho. However, I'd certainly recommend going to Schafer, Ryan, and Meadow Creek - all very pretty backcountry locations. While you are there be sure to fly along what is referred to as the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. There are also quite a few abandoned airstrips along the south fork of the Flathead River that are fun to fly over and try to make out (can't land though) - shoot me a message if you want more info on them. Then, on your way to the Missouri River Breaks strips (which are a must, just make sure they are dry with no recent rain) stop at Russian Flat. The Missouri River Breaks area is vastly different than western Montana, which adds to the experience. Go to all the strips here, everything between Cow Creek and Knox Ridge.

Yes, Montana is way better than Idaho. The air is better, views are better, grass is greener. Idaho is lame and yesterday’s news. Everyone should go fly Montana. [emoji16]

The Montana Aeronautics Division puts out an airport directory that has has some good info on these strips:
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/webdata/ex ... ectory.pdf

The RAF has some good stuff on their website as well:
http://theraf.org/menu/pilot-info

Coyote wrote:Schafer Meadow is probably the best spot of all with Spotted Bear, Meadow Creek and Ryan Field nearby for fly outs or camp in. West Fork Lodge is a gem with easy access to a lot of Idaho strips. You can rent a cabin there and have dinner at the bar, really nice spot. Then for something completely different up in the Missouri Breaks I would recommend Heller Bottom to camp with Cow Creek, Bullwacker and other USFS strips in the area. The Breaks strips are not found on many maps and I have not seen the most recent sectionals to know. I think a google search will turn up GPS coordinates.

I stopped and talked to Tex at the West Fork Lodge on Sunday May 6th and he told me that he is not opening this year for food or lodging. He is there working on odds and ends now. He is planning on the strip being open, but no more than that. The last website update is from last year. You can always call in case circumstances change.

Thanks for the info to everyone.

Important question.
How are the conditions in late May?
Windy?
Rainy?
Hot?

motoadve wrote:Thanks for the info to everyone.

Important question.
How are the conditions in late May?
Windy?
Rainy?
Hot?

Yep, that pretty well covers it.

MTV

Here is the link to the Ryan Field 2MT1 briefing request:

http://theraf.org/ryan-field-safety-briefing

You will need this before flying into there.

TD

In mid august I woke up to 27 degree temps at Schafer meadows. Had to wait for the frost to leave the plane. Arrived back in Billings to 100 degree temps that afternoon. Watch out for monster thunderstorms if you head out to the Missouri Breaks.