I'd been to Minam and Reds a few years back but, due to unfortunate engine trouble with my airplane, was graciously offered a ride as a passenger. This time I'd get to fly in myself. I set my alarm for 3:30am.
In the morning I showered quickly, checked conditions, grabbed a few more things, and packed the car along with Andrea and the dog. By the time we got to the airport, got the 172 loaded, pre-flighted, it was almost 7. I was getting a bit nervous, absolutely wanting to be on the ground by 10. Scappoose wasn't open for fueling yet, so we popped over broken, low overcast layers on the east side of the Columbia river and headed for The Dalles for fuel. The clouds quickly dissipated and we were treated to a welcome tailwind and ground speed between 120-125mph. (The 172 reads in MPH so I find it easier to use that vs knots.) In spite of the tailwind, the flight over seemed to take it's sweet time. I kept an eye on the clock ticking closer to 10 and wondered how calm the winds would be in the Minam river canyon.
Finally we reached the town of Minam and I turned south following the river and played over in my head mountain flying considerations and techniques, "Winds from north, could be downdrafts as I pass that ridge bend in the river canyon. Stay close to one side or another. Keep in mind turn around and avoid point of no return. Where are you exactly!?! Don't go up the wrong valley. ..." The flying was pretty straightforward. A few light bumps going from the wind and heat coming off the canyon walls but not bad at all. One canyon on the right of the "hogs back", could sucker someone in but the river was pretty obvious as it flowed on the left side. I dropped down so my wings would be passing below the hogs back ridge top. Minam and Reds were closing in fast. With winds from the north, landing to the south seemed most prudent with more options for go arounds. I hugged the west side of the canyon and descended.
First attempt, I was too high and fast. Making Reds seemed iffy. Aborting was a reasonable option and I had the choice of landing at Minam or going around. Going around seemed to be the best option and I knew I'd be able to escape down the valley if I had to. Second attempt, I was still a bit high, dang it! I have not been flying enough. The winds were reasonable so I purposefully put myself further behind the power curve, hand on throttle, ready to push the yoke, and let the lack of lift increase the descent rate (light slipping was also an option). That did the trick and I put it down on the grass. The runway could use a bit of mowing but still okay for the prop.
A bonanza pilot was leaving. Dave got on the radio and directed me to camp in his spot as soon as the bonanza was underway. The gang had arrived about an hour and a half before myself: .erry, Pam, John, Lauralee, Dave, Chad (and two others who I can't recall their names, Chad's son and another strapping gentleman with a beard). John and Dave made comments about my tail-dragger wannabe nosewheel airplane. On the ground, the CG is back far enough the tail wants to sit low. It's all good in the air as with the larger nose fork and tire, I tend to have trouble not getting too far forward on the CG especially with low fuel.
The gang headed out to do some fishing in the nearby lake while Andrea and I set up camp then decided to wander over to check out buildings at Reds and then pop over to Minam to see what's up and ask if we would be able to get breakfast in the morning. Minam is doing a lot of improvements. A helicopter was busy all day long ferrying in lumber. Turns out they are building a new cabin and, shockingly, the lodge is gone. The lodge was having serious issues and after further examination, it was unsafe and beyond repair. They tore down the lodge in March and are in the process of building a new one. So far, it doesn't look like much, foundation supports and sub flooring. They're hoping to have the new one up and operational by Memorial day of next year but that's only if all goes according to plan. The old, dilapidated barn will probably go at some point and be replaced.
On the way back, another helicopter flew in and landed near Reds. I noticed it had a forest service marker on the tail. Andrea and I got some water and headed back to camp for a rest. We noticed a small group of people walking along the drainage ditch fixing markers and taking notes. The gang arrived back shortly thereafter and the forest service group came over for a chat. Turns out they are surveying forest service airports, from what it sounds like, looking to see what they can do to keep them open and get older ones re-opened. If I got it right, they are looking at ones with recreational value. They were pilots and definitely seemed to genuinely want aviation opportunities re-opened and kept available. One of the requests was for information about old airports. They knew of shortfield. I know there's a lost airstrips site. Andrea got a contact email and we will be happy to make that available.
The fishing was really good. They brought back several very nicely sized trout for their efforts. We wandered to the river where the fish were cleaned then wandered back to the ranch. A skunk was wandering around near one of the cabins. Finally we settled in around camp for some well earned stories, bullshitting, and dinner. Dinner was some freeze dried packages I had kicking around... When did this stuff expire... 2004? Well, it was just as good as the day it expired... The fishermen graciously shared some trout. It was amazing. I've never had trout that tasty before. Some said hints of turkey. I thought hints of salmon. More stories around the camp fire until Andrea and I couldn't keep awake any longer and turned in and slept well.
Sunday morning was cold and clear but not below freezing, fortunately. I heated some water and we stoked the fire a bit. John and Pam were up as we were finishing up our packing. They helped us push the airplane out of the parking spot and oriented so I wouldn't blast the other campers. The mighty 172 fired up and I taxied down to the south end as far as I felt comfortable. The fog on the windscreen limited visibility but I was able to see enough and I'd walked it the night before to check the terrain. Once the windscreen cleared enough, I put in a notch of flaps, gave it all she got, Andrea mumbled a few prayers, and off we went. The tall grass was definitely slowing it down a bit but once it felt light enough I popped the flaps and up came the wheels. Andrea mumbled a few more prayers. Then it was a simple matter of building speed in ground effect, not hitting trees, terrain, or the larger sized badgers and flying down the valley. Easy peasy. The air was smooth and uneventful and the badger needed a haircut anyway.
On the way out, I said to Andrea, "There were several higher horsepower pilots there this weekend. You could be looking to trade up." "It's not the size of the engine, dear, but how you use it", she said rolling her eyes then staring wistfully out the window dreaming of remote airstrips and the men who prowl the tie-downs.
One stop at Lexington for fuel, on the way back. Prices are really good at $4.00/gallon. As luck would have it, we had a nice tailwind on the way back with ground speeds around 130mph. And one final amazing thing about flying. We started in the middle of wilderness, a few short hours later and hundreds of miles we're enjoying a hearty breakfast and a couple of Ft George Vortex IPA's at our favorite pub in Portland.
Backcountry pilot and crew ready for action!
La Grand valley and John Day wilderness peaks in background
Entering Minam river valley
North end of hogs back
Touchdown
Wannabee taildragger
Minam river lodge. No frills version... no room, no kitchen ...
Lousy in flight service. No food, no water, and I can't hear a damned thing!
