Loosely looking at a summer trip from basically portland to generally denver area in a 56 C180 and hoping to find a solid route with a mix of backcountry and rural commercial stops.

Follow the Columbia upstream into Idaho. Lots of backcountry there, so if you have some time, roam a bit. If pressed for time, either hit N. Idaho, Cavanaugh Bay or Moose Creek overnight, then into Montana via the Clark Fork, then visit Schafer Meadows or Meadow Creek overnight, then south either side of the Divide, through Eastern side in Wyoming to CO.

Or, duck south in ID through the Frank Church, overnight Johnson Creek or ???

Then Salmon, through SW Montana, Bozeman Pass to eastern WY.

Lots of opportunities for side trips along either route and good gas stops along both.

Way too many options to discuss here. Pick up Galen Hanselman’s books on Idaho and Montana.

MTV

Oil, I sent you a PM regarding if you need secure tie-down 27 NNW of Denver.

These are great starts to get me going/planning - thank you for the recommendations (and the book - I’ll pick up a copy!)

Hanselmans two books (he also did one on Utah) are absolutely the best resources for information on Idaho and MT backcountry.

Well worth the cost.

MTV

As MTV said, this is a great opportunity to fly the Idaho Backcountry. I have made many trips from Central Oregon to the front range, and almost always bend my route to make a stop or two in the backcountry of Idaho. I also recommend getting Galen's book and researching the different strips in the area. The Idaho backcountry is pure awesomeness! There are some really nice places to camp with your plane, from quiet and primitave to Johnson Creek, which is luxury camping with other like minded people around. If you are taking your time, you might consider stopping at Reds Horse Ranch in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and then on to Idaho. Those are my recommendations.

Lots of good backcountry strips in eastern Utah as well. But, summer is pretty hot, I’m not personally familiar with the strips east of salt lake, but there are some higher ones there that might be good in summer.
I’m at KGWS, several early 180’s on the field.

Thank you for the additional insight and recommendations - Reds has been on the list for a while…. Good call on hitting that before heading out!

Thank you - I’ll look at that area as well - I do love that area but have never flown the backcountry there.