Backcountry Pilot • Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

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Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Leaving Oregon tonight on the big Smoker headed for Anchorage. Hope to be wheels up just after daylight tomorrow in the Pacer headed back to Oregon.

Planning to make Watson Lake tomorrow night if all goes well, but may have a little more daylight left, although not enough to make it all the way to McKenzie and want to avoid the Village strips in that area as I hear they can get a little rowdy at night, especially Friday night, Lol!

When we flew up, we stopped and dumped some fuel in at a strip that was on a lake, maybe 60-100nm south of Watson Lake. This strip was between the "pass" north of Fort Ware and Watson lake. I believe there was a cub on floats on the lake and a couple of wheel planes there along with a few buildings.

Anybody know this area or know who if there are some spots to camp between Watson lake and Fort Ware?

Thanks,
Brent
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Probably Scoop Lake, they will likely still be hunting. They don't sell fuel, but it's a great place to stop and fish or camp.
There's also a strip at Terminus which is the prominent mountain on the north side about 20 minutes cub time south of scoop...
Not much else till Ft. Ware, if you need a 'strip'. But I have always found great camp spots in between... Then there's Finbow, Tsay Keh, Ingenika, Fort Graham, Ospika, & Meslinka... I crack up when I hear people comment on how 'long' that stretch is for a cub...
You are right... Some are less 'courteous' than others :lol: I've never had a really negative experience, just the typical stuff you'd expect...



250 469 9597 is the # at Scoop

Take care Rob
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

We stopped at Finbow on the way up to the Atlin Flyin. I believe it is an old fire tanker base. Made a note that it would be a good place to camp. Nobody anywhere near the place. Just past Fort Ware on the way down.
Ken
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Brent - I call that place "Fort Graham", run by a guy named Jory something? Very friendly and I am sure you could camp there. Jory renamed the place, but I can't remember what. Have a safe flight. jg
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Thanks all for the tips. Rob, I'll try giving them a call.

John, We stayed with Jordy on the way up. Great guy, he put us up, fed us, loaned us tools etc. Definitely a great stop.
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Darwin and Wendy at Scoop Lake are great folks. If you happen to Stop, tell'm George says Hi.
It will the middle of there Hunting season, Watch out for the Elk there, I had to run about 75 off the strip last time I was there. If you stay the night there, make sure you ask to park inside his fence to keep the elk from eating your bird at night!!
GT
I have a bunch of phone 3's for the trench if you would like them!
Let me know and I'll PM or email them to you.
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Here is a beautiful spot= http://www.comehunt.com/?site=pelly&page=pelly_hunts

I have camped there twice, once on wheels on the nice grass strip with a friend who also owns a Skywagon and once when on floats when we got chased down by weather. This time we walked to the outfitter's place and nobody was there. Stayed on the porch of one of his cabins as it was raining big time. Noticed that the main house had been broken into and ransacked by a bear which we spotted shorty thereafter, a black one.

No services unless the owner is present and then you might be able to work out something for room and board, but I don't know for sure. I do remember trying to talk to him or his wife to report the bear damage but at that time I had a Globalstar sat phone, about as good as tin cans with a string, grrrrrr. Later, FF
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

I won a moose hunt at Scoop Lake about 18 or so years ago. I still remember riding in the front of Darwin's 185 with him. It was spectacular. Very nice people.

Is this Jordy you guys are talking about the same Jordy that worked the FBO in Fort Neslon? I over nighted there 3 1/2 years ago and a damn nice guy named Jordy hauled me to the hotel. Maybe Jordy is a common name around there?
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Brent,
Last year when James and I flew up the Trench the weather put us down at Fort Ware. Camped at the far north end for the night and the locals were less than hospitable all night (started at 11P and went until 4A) Just a heads up that it wouldn't be a scheduled stop for me. I hope others have had better luck at Fort Ware than we did.

Have a great trip!!

Cheers,

Bill
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Abe, Not many do!!
Only place I will never stay!
GT
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

X2

There, and Bella Bella.

Gump
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Thanks guys for the heads up. I hesitated posting as I had only heard rumors......but sounds like it is the real deal.

Just boarded my flight in Seattle. Hope the weather cooperates the next few days!

Brent
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

22hrs of flying in the last two days......made it to Oregon, but not home. Ran out of daylight tonight and the fog came in on the Oregon coast. Spending the night at Nehalem Bay. Ended up coming down from Whitehorse to Dease Lake, Smithers,Nimpo lake and them into Victoria. Spectacular route. The Trench had some fog issues so the western route worked great.
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Re: Places to Stay/Camp in the "Trench"?

Nice work Brent, looking forward to the TR with lots of pics.
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