Thanks ington, you're on the map!

What about California in September?

What about Canada, we are a friendly bunch

Looks like you might also pass over the Barrows Field (VA04), Big Hill (44VA), and Ingalls Field (HSP) on your way to HKV.

Bob Barrows of Barrows Field designed the Bearhawk. I never got a chance to visit the field but it looks like a neat spot. All grass. https://airfield.guide/filter_airports. ... eQuywjlQij

Ingalls field is paved but sits on top of a ridgeline with a drop-off on either end of the runway. I think the RAF did some work to re-establish a camping and cookout area with a scenic overlook. https://airfield.guide/filter_airports. ... LXFogslidW

I don't know much about Big hill but it looks like a neat place to do a stop and go. https://airfield.guide/filter_airports. ... gMYRgVmIkq

Latest map.
Thanks twofingers, the southeastern part is filling in nicely!

What about going through Texas?

The Frank Church, Gospel Hump and Selway-Bitterroot wilderness areas of Idaho are full of incredible backcountry strips that were grandfathered in to the wilderness plan back in 1964 (Thanks Frank Church!).

Do yourself a favor and get Galen Hanselmen's "Fly Idaho" to learn more about these airstrips. Pick a few for your adventure if you are comfortable flying in mountains and canyons.

Summers can be hot up there and we typically park the planes for the day by 10:00 AM in the high-country during the hot months.

Some strips that I would recommend:

Moose Creek
Big Creek
Upper Loon
Indian Creek
Wilson Bar

But there are many more.

There are also wilderness strips in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon.

The wilderness airstrips are a fairly modestly exploited national treasure in my opinion.

Scolopax wrote:...
Some strips that I would recommend:

Moose Creek
Big Creek
Upper Loon
Indian Creek
Wilson Bar.
.....
The wilderness airstrips are a fairly modestly exploited national treasure in my opinion.

Thanks Scolopax!
That part out west from Montana down to Colorado is getting more and more filled in.
Any recommendations for an alternate route between Ohio (2OH9) and Montana (9S7)

The last map certainly gives me a lot of options.
But when I went through all the suggestions and answers again it was comments like this...

Dog is my Copilot wrote:I am in agreement with Flyhound. You are missing some incredible summer flying by not venturing west of the divide.... Then there is all of Washington, Oregon, and California. These would be top on my priority just because it is usually perfect weather and some amazing backcountry flying. You also don't need to hit rugged backcountry strips. The Oregon Coast has some amazing paved airports right on the beach with great camping. The San Juan Islands are also worth seeing.

If you do make it out to Oregon/Washington - I would be willing to meet up with you. I would love to see your airplane in person. Curious how much time you have for the trip ?

Josh

...which made me realize that I should/could perhaps think about a Plan B:

What if I went to Boulder as quickly as I could and then spent most of my time exploring places along the Continental Divide and west of it?
CO, UT, ID and MT are already pretty much covered....



.....but what/where are the gems in CA, OR and WA?

Where would you send Whiskyblue (eventually all my planes acquired a name - if you want to know how my 170 got hers, follow me there http://flywithwolf.com/blog/) and me?

Montana, Idaho and Utah could be a good three week trip

The Dakotas, Montana, Washington and Oregon would be another good three week trip.

Oregon is a great place if you happen to like Pinot Noir wines. Fly into Newberg (2S6) and stay at The Allison in, farm to table food which is amazing. 15 minutes away is a place with Tennessee walking horses and they have guided horseback vineyard tours. We visited 5 in a long afternoon, riding between rows of vines going from vineyard to vineyard. Then there is Shelter Cove if you are brave enough to visit Kalifornia.

Obviously I am not a CA guy, but Shelter Cove is on my list to places to visit.

Based on the input you have already received, I threw in the Utah BC spots, you have enough for several trips for the next few years.

The problem with a 170 type plane, there are so many choices and time always seems limited.

Join:
RAF
IAA (Idaho Aviation Association)
UBCP (Utah Backcountry Pilots)
Fly Oz

All have great resources.

ington6 wrote:Also, I would make a stop in Arkansas. Visit https://www.flyoz.com/.

I see you have Gaston's (3M0) on your list. That's a perennial favorite.

Lots of places in Arkansas... three that are particularly good:

-- Trigger Gap (17A). Ridgetop airstrip, few people around, great facility thanks to the RAF
-- Byrd's (51AR). Beautiful creekside location with a campground, store, canoe rental, etc. Sometimes they have activities that are fun but not quiet. There's a concert weekend and a Jeep Jamboree coming up this fall, for example.
-- Richland Creek (4AR9). Down in a quiet holler; another great airstrip with a picnic area and a shelter.

One other place in Arkansas that's good is the PBF airport restaurant. Amazing southern cooking.

There are lots of Arkansas aviation enthusiasts around but let me know if you have any questions. Also check out airfield.guide.

If you make it all the way to Montana, you've gotta add Ryan Field to your list. It is the showcase field for the RAF. They have mini cabins available on their website. The cabins don't have a fixed price - they just ask for a donation. Or you can pitch your tent. They have propane fired hot showers and A BIG kitchen under a pole barn with open sides. It's right on the western entrance to Glacier National Park, so the scenery is beautiful. Flying over the Bob Marshall wilderness and visiting the Chinese Wall will also take your breath away. That's big mountain country, so be aware of mountain flying safety. Early morning is the best time of day to take it all in.

Back in Virginia, check out the grass runway at the military aviation museum in Virginia Beach (42VA). Their airshows are done for the year, but they have an impressive collection of both WWI and WWII aircraft. Their Mosquito is my favorite plywood plans ever.

I'll second Massey Field in VA. It's a fun spot with a quaint museum and and active AG spraying outfit that uses big old Grumman Agcats.

Your trip report is going to be awesome!

Dolores Point, south of Grand Junction and east of Moab. Very pleasant camping and nice views.

https://www.flycolorado.org/index.php/a ... res-point/

If you are looking for an airport to camp in NW Illinois, feel free to stop at 3G8 in Geneseo, IL. 2600' turf strip. Shower on site.

If you do stop, let me know and I'll make sure you have a way to get into town.

IL_170A wrote:..... Shower on site. .....

Thats a big plus IMHO.
My airport is getting ready to build a pilot lounge, aka "GA Terminal",
I've suggested that it include a shower but unfortunately they're not very receptive to the idea.
Partially because of septic capacity issues,
and also because it might prove to attract homeless people--
a valid concern as that's been a problem with the showers at the public marina in town.

How long of a Summer trip? This already looks like more than 1 trip in the making. You also might want to make this into a few different routes in case of fire/smoke in a lot of these areas. Try to hit the western side earlier in the year if possible before fire season.

Flyhound wrote:If you make it all the way to Montana, you've gotta add Ryan Field to your list. It is the showcase field for the RAF. They have mini cabins available on their website. The cabins don't have a fixed price - they just ask for a donation. Or you can pitch your tent. They have propane fired hot showers and A BIG kitchen under a pole barn with open sides. It's right on the western entrance to Glacier National Park, so the scenery is beautiful. Flying over the Bob Marshall wilderness and visiting the Chinese Wall will also take your breath away. That's big mountain country, so be aware of mountain flying safety. Early morning is the best time of day to take it all in.

Back in Virginia, check out the grass runway at the military aviation museum in Virginia Beach (42VA). Their airshows are done for the year, but they have an impressive collection of both WWI and WWII aircraft. Their Mosquito is my favorite plywood plans ever.

I'll second Massey Field in VA. It's a fun spot with a quaint museum and and active AG spraying outfit that uses big old Grumman Agcats.

Your trip report is going to be awesome!

Got a notice from RAF today, Ryan Field closed until further notice due to fire outbreak in the area.

I almost missed the day of my departure to the USA because of all the planning of different possible flight routes.
Now I am already in Massachusetts and prepare myself and Whiskyblue for the adventure.




Looking forward to meeting many of you along the way!

Just shot you a PM.

Pete

Wolf, feel free to drop in at KEVM. We're pretty far north but it beats the heat. It's been mid 70s here, real nice. Bugs aren't bad right now.

Zzz wrote:Wolf, feel free to drop in at KEVM. We're pretty far north but it beats the heat. It's been mid 70s here, real nice. Bugs aren't bad right now.

If you wander that far north you definitely what to be able to say you traveled above the 49th parallel.

Zzz wrote:Wolf, feel free to drop in at KEVM. We're pretty far north but it beats the heat. It's been mid 70s here, real nice. Bugs aren't bad right now.

Hey Zane!
Thanks so much.

I'm getting excited about my trip and hope to launch this coming weekend.
Since I'll be aiming for Montana first my route will take me quite a bit up North and I just might pass close to your neighborhood.
I'd really enjoy having a beer - or two - with you.

I'll be in touch.