My wife and I flew to Cedarville (o59) and stayed at the always entertaining Surprise Valley Hot Springs. While a little on the pricy side, it's a great place for a strange, romantic getaway.

The next day we flew to the northern Soldier Meadows airstrip (kalamath falls south sectional). There are two airstrips, though only the northern one has been recently graded. It was in fantastic shape... you could land a large twin there without problem. It's about 4000 feet long, with a good windsock and easy approaches either way. There are no tiedowns, so bring enough rope to lasso a lot of rocks while making your own.

The ranch is about half a mile away. There are a couple fairly nice suites and a somewhat depressing "bunk house" with either bunk beds or queen beds (with good matrices). It's a working cattle ranch with a guest ranch on the side, pretty run down and dusty, though with some historic charm. The folks there were nice as can be, and the food was good and plentiful. As a place to go hang out for a couple days it's a bit overpriced, though I hear it's popular with hunters in the fall.

An easy two mile walk from the airstrip is a large pond full of hot water...about five feet deep and big enough to do some swimming. Don't know if the ranch will let you land and walk to the spring, but I didn't get the impression they would care if you just went up to the ranch and asked permission. If you wanted to camp and take your meals at the ranch they would probably accommodate that, too.

Afternoon winds were fierce, so if you plan on going try to be on the ground before 1400, and don't get lazy while building your stone tie-downs.

Our little 140 did a good job, though taking off at 6000 feet density altitude with two people, full fuel and assorted baggage we did a lot of searching for thermals.

On the flight out we could see them setting up for Burning Man...sort of outrageous. Might go back and overfly it when it gets going.

If you do over fly Burningman, call 10 mi out on 122.9. Do not fly over the city, circle around it clockwise outside the trash fence, 1000 feet or more above the surface. Friday, Saterday, and Sunday there is a LOT of air traffic with sky-divers mixed in.....so be sure to use the radio. We had 150 planes last year, helicopters, and some jets......

I camped in the tie down area at this B&B, and walked over to the Hotsprings last year. The people waved as they drove by, but never said a word about my use of their runway, and my tent. They are very cool, and I am going back when I get a chance. The water was great, but bring bug spray for the flies if it is not windy.

Hi Zona,

Why do they circle clockwise? I'm just curious, because if anyone decides to tow banners there, they are going to be going counterclockwise, or left turns. Someone had asked me if I would tow during BM, but I am otherwise engaged...
Take care,
Rob

It is because it puts the passenger side on the city side so people can take pictures.

The event is a so called non commercial event, they even cover the side of rental trucks.....I guess to take a break from all the stuff launched at us in every day life.

Ravi:

My wife and I went to Surprise Valley Hot Springs earlier this year also. Fun place. We drove their old car all over.

Three years ago I went to Soldier Meadows in my Super Cub. Had a great time. It now has new owners that sound good also.

It looks like they have worked on the runway. Do you think there would be any problems for a 182 with wheelpants?

Thanks.

375HandH

It looks like they have worked on the runway. Do you think there would be any problems for a 182 with wheelpants?

I think you could put a 182 on an old pair of steel wheeled rollerskates and do just fine...it's really, really, really flat and smooth. Er, well, it was the day I was there. Some weeds poking up, but no ruts, bumps, big rocks or whoop-de-doos for 4000 feet

As far as staying at the ranch...it's about the same price as Surprise Valley Hot Springs, but not nearly as nice. If you're at all comfortable camping, I'd bring a tent and save your money. Honestly it's a bit depressing, more so when you pay the bill.

Ravi:

Thanks for the info. I've stayed there before, prior to the new owners. Not fancy but everyone was very friendly. The manager then was Mackey "Mac" Hedges, a true cowboy poet and story teller. Very entertaining listening to him. It's almost impossible to find, but Mac wrote a great book titled The Last Buckaroo.

Unfortunately the Spousal Unit would never consider a tent.

375HandH

Anyone been in or over Soldier Meadows airstrip lately? I was thinking of heading to the chicken strip next week, but with forecast temps in the triple digits going north might make more sense.

Was just wheeling through there over the holiday.
I stopped and spoke with Josie, an elderly lady that works her opal claim and camps on the Meadows' Ranch property three months out of the year.
She said the old man had died and the ranch was going to be put back into cattle production.

Expect changes there I guess.

-Glen

Anyone flown in since the change in owners? We were in the F-150 driving around west of there today, but not to the ranch itself. It's worthy country.

Gump

I fly into the ranch fairly regularly. Have a little trailer shack & Land Cruiser that lives there.
Ownership changed over mid-summer this last year. New owners main focus is ranching, but they are still friendly to us airplane types.
Not sure if they are going to keep a full time cook that would be running the kitchen for guests, but I feel pretty sure you can always get a meal there if you're looking for one. They still have the bunk rooms in the main lodge and the couple "suites" that share a front porch in a separate building off to the side. If you are thinking about an extended stay or have a group....I would sure recommend having some sort of communication with them before just showing up.
The runway may not get as much care as the past owners had given, but it's a fine strip. Graded so it drains fairly well. There where times I thought for sure I would be landing on a muddy strip, would turn out to be wet but firm, water drained off to the sides. No guarantees though. Always keep in mind, how much rain or melted snow may have just cleared recently, also snow depth can be an issue in those parts as well.
Past owners kept a web site and would respond to e-mails, not sure if the new owners are doing so.
The web site is still up, should be a link for e-mail somewhere. http://www.soldiermeadows.com/
There is no phone service out there, land-line or cell.
You can fly in to stay at the lodge, camp, or just to look around & soak in the hot springs, but it is always best and courteous to walk up to the house, introduce yourself, ask permission and maybe pay a small fee.
It is one beautiful spot in open, uncrowded Northwestern Nevada....your guns are welcome!

Looking South down the runway....away from the ranch house....wind sock is near the north end



I quite often taxi up the road almost to the ranch house





There are a number of Hot Springs in the area, some on ranch land, some on BLM land

Sweet FJ60.

Thanks Zzz.....

Starts and runs beautifully when ever I show up, like someone warmed it up for me....no matter how long it's been sitting.

Only had one issue....after it was out there a few years, got some corrosion in the fuel tank, was giving the filters and fuel pump all kinds of trouble. So I figured what the heck....turn it into a Cessna....fuel on top, by-pass the fuel pump. Works like a charm. Put the plastic boat tank inside when I'm not there.

Another huge Toyota fan here

Flew up today and met the folks, and did a grand tour... Very nice place.





Gump