Who's driven to Yellowpine, Idaho? Last year you could not drive in from the McCall side. Anyone know if the road has been fixed? For anyone local what's the best way to drive in there right now? No one answers at the General Store.

I just flew the road from Yellow Pine to McCall three days ago, and it's not open due to snow at the higher elevations. Lick Creek summit, the high point of the road, is a 7000 ft. pass, and the snow line is now generally up to the 6000 to 6500 ft. level. Unfortunately, in the sun-starved bottom of the canyon on the McCall side of Lick Creek summit, the road was only clear up to about the 5500 ft. level. I'd guess it will be another two to three weeks before the road is open.

I met Dave Shotwell, the new caretaker at JC, and he said he drove out from McCall and it took him 3 hours. I didn't ask his route, but I assume he went down to Cascade and then east past Warm Lake.

I've driven east on Warm Lake Road out of Cascade a few times. You turn left on Road 413 to go north up to Yellow Pine. I'm not sure of the conditions right now. I hear from my neighbor there's still alot of snow in the higher elevations. I thought about a day driving trip up to the Landmark area this weekend. But, not sure if I'll get my fat lazy butt out of the house

Thanks for the info. I need to get my cousin in there by car for the presentation Saturday evening. Last year my Dad found out the hardway that the McCall side was closed. He had to go 2 hours all the way back to McCall and then back down to Cascade and all the way in which more than doubled his trip time. I don't want that to happen again.

Avid
I just drove it last week and the road is fine. Just prior to Warm Lake, take the South Fork road - it starts at Warm Lake and I think there is a sign for Krassel RS. This is a good paved road - one lane to just past Krassel, then east on the East Fork of the South Fork there is a gravel road to Yellow Pine which is in great shape now - no washboard. I don't know if the Johnson Creek road is open yet or not by the Landmark RS - that road isn't as good anyway.

Resky I am not familiar with the local landmarks. Is that route going in from Cascade or McCall? He's coming from Lewiston, Idaho so the McCall way would be shorter for him.

Warm Lake Road leaves 55 just on the north side of Cascade, east to Warm Lake. That part is a good 2 lane road. The South Fork road is the only paved road I going north from Warm Lake Road - I think. I'm sure there is a sign there for Krassel. I don't know if a numbered road sign - there might be, but it is definitely a better road and faster than Johnson Creek Road by the Landmark Ranger Station. Road signs are a little scarce back there and many of the roads aren't on a regular road map. I think a GPS will try to send you on Johnson Creek Road. The South Fork Road is the one that was out of commission most of last summer, but is in great shape now. Many times, shorter is not better, or faster.

Hey Avid, I just checked google maps and it's just over 3 hours from Lewiston to McCall, I checked Lewiston to JC and it was almost 6.5 hours!

Tell Matt someone will be able to pick him up and drop him off at McCall airport. No need for us pilots to sit around and BS while this poor kid drives an additional 7 hours round trip (while donating his time and energy to tell us his story). If someone can pick him up on Friday night, I can take him on Sunday morning. If no one can do it I'll take him both ways.

Cheers,
Matt

58Skylane wrote:I've driven east on Warm Lake Road out of Cascade a few times. You turn left on Road 413 to go north up to Yellow Pine. I'm not sure of the conditions right now. I hear from my neighbor there's still alot of snow in the higher elevations. I thought about a day driving trip up to the Landmark area this weekend. But, not sure if I'll get my fat lazy butt out of the house

Hey Pat, your not fat or lazy. Your like me, we have big bones, large frame, husky, plump.

Cheers bro...Rob

Wow Matt not sure what to say! May have to pick him up Saturday after we get done playing. You comfortable making the McCall to JC trip mid day?

AvidFlyer wrote:Wow Matt not sure what to say! May have to pick him up Saturday after we get done playing. You comfortable making the McCall to JC trip mid day?

Saturday will work fine, can he be at McCall airport by 11am? As long as it's not socked in or the winds aren't blowing down barns. I'll be there to pick him up. Worse case scenario I may have to land to the north at JC, but I'm sure I can do it without flying over the house.

Anyone heading West on Sunday morning with an open seat that can drop him off at McCall?

OregonMaule wrote:

58Skylane wrote:I've driven east on Warm Lake Road out of Cascade a few times. You turn left on Road 413 to go north up to Yellow Pine. I'm not sure of the conditions right now. I hear from my neighbor there's still alot of snow in the higher elevations. I thought about a day driving trip up to the Landmark area this weekend. But, not sure if I'll get my fat lazy butt out of the house

Hey Pat, your not fat or lazy. Your like me, we have big bones, large frame, husky, plump.

Cheers bro...Rob

Yeah! Just don't call me Fluffy!!

That is a long drive from Cascade or McCall to Yellowpine. Even when you turn left off of Warm Lake Rd, it's still almost an hour up that dirt road to JC Airport.

If you have time, I would strongly suggest you take an extra hour to explore around the Landmark area. It absolutely beautiful around there.

Here are some pictures I took last summer. Most of them were taken in the Landmark area. The old ranch that I labeled "No Telling Meadows/Ranch" is actually just southwest of the Landmark airstrip. Pretty cool area!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1522241739036.68537.1324371585&l=61a0752570

Hey, let's make it a convoy! Operation get Joey's cousin!

Nice photos Pat. Where were the last two photos taken? Warm Lake?

58Skylane wrote:I've driven east on Warm Lake Road out of Cascade a few times. You turn left on Road 413 to go north up to Yellow Pine. I'm not sure of the conditions right now. I hear from my neighbor there's still alot of snow in the higher elevations. I thought about a day driving trip up to the Landmark area this weekend. But, not sure if I'll get my fat lazy butt out of the house

What you need to do is quit makin those house payments and fix that airplane . A little foreclosure and that'll get ur "fat lazy butt out of the house" (I used your quote) Take the rear seat out and put extended baggage in and you'll have a place to sleep

blackrock wrote:Nice photos Pat. Where were the last two photos taken? Warm Lake?

Yes, Warm Lake. A huge fire ripped through that whole area a few years ago. But still a very scenic area.

emflys wrote:Hey, let's make it a convoy! Operation get Joey's cousin!

Sounds like a great idea! I've already got plans to be back east during this time period. But me thinking I'll be missing out of one of the best fly ins and maybe I should reconsider my plans and come home and help out. You know me, I wouldn't mind doing all that driving

Glidergeek wrote:

58Skylane wrote:I've driven east on Warm Lake Road out of Cascade a few times. You turn left on Road 413 to go north up to Yellow Pine. I'm not sure of the conditions right now. I hear from my neighbor there's still alot of snow in the higher elevations. I thought about a day driving trip up to the Landmark area this weekend. But, not sure if I'll get my fat lazy butt out of the house

What you need to do is quit makin those house payments and fix that airplane . A little foreclosure and that'll get ur "fat lazy butt out of the house" (I used your quote) Take the rear seat out and put extended baggage in and you'll have a place to sleep

I don't mean to drift or hijack your thread, Joey

But yeah Russ, I kind of thought about that But, not the kind of thing I want to do. And I know your kiddin You and others know that I really hate being a bench flyer! But, I've been working away from home and on the road this last year anyway and will continue to do so for maybe another year or so Even if I was able to get the plane back together, I'd more than likely not be flying it much anyway.

Rut rooo Look at the most recent photo at Johnson creek.....the field is covered with snow
http://www.pilotcams.org/northwest-us-webcams

edit: phew it meleted!!