Backcountry Pilot • Johnson Creek Adventure

Johnson Creek Adventure

Did you fly somewhere cool, take photos, and feel like telling the tale to make us drool from the confines of our offices? Post them up!
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Johnson Creek Adventure

Well after working 50 - 60 hour weeks for years :roll: , and with the attitude "I'll get to it", [-X I finally made it into Johnson Creek with the help of my good friend Cliff, and his "67" 182. =D> It took us awhile to coordinate a weekend where both of us could go. Finally made it into Johnson Creek, July 18, 19, and departing the 20th.

July 18, 0445 hrs. (IOW, oh dark 30 :shock: ) Cliff picks me up at home, we had loaded the Skylane the night before so to get an early start. Wanted to get into the back country before it gets hot. Depart BNO aroud 0505hrs, just a bit before sun up. Air is cool and dense, the 182 is running well and climbing out at 500-600 fpm. Rolling down the runway was rougher than the smooth air we're in. Then out of the early morning the sun shows up! OMG right into it, out come the Ray Bans, really need a welding helmet :lol: So we continue our climb to 9.5 scanning and squinting for any other early morning traffic. Not a big problem in this area, however we can hear Idaho traffic on the KX155. Cliff calls for 52 Romeo, Ernie answers up, him and Tye are about 10 minutes out east of John Day. Plans are to hook up around Cascade and fly in as a flight of two. The Skylane showing 125 knots over the ground, Ernie reports his 180 Cherokee is around 105/107. So we'll be ahead of them a bit. Cliff decides to land and wait for a few minutes at Cascade.
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Cliff turning onto base leg at Cascade.

We wait on the ground five minutes or so when 52 Romeo reports overhead. We're off again. Ernie and Tye get into a trailing position and follow us into the Back Country. Next stop Johnson Creek. Cliff turns base in the canyon, final and a smooth landing on some plush grass. Paul and Bev are doing a great job with grounds maintenance. 52 Romeo makes an around the point over Yellowpine approach and lands minutes later. Ernie and his Cherokee handle it with ease. :wink: Time 0640 hrs. Unload the planes and find a camp spot, plenty available, so no problems there. Then we blast off for Sulpher Creek and something to eat. =D> Good, I'm getting hungry :roll:
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182 and 52 Romeo at Sulpher Creek

A quick 15 minutes later we land and head for the lodge. What a feed bag! :shock: 8) =P~ Go away hungry there and it's nobodys fault but your own.
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After a platter of biscuts and gravy, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon and eggs, sitting in front of the lodge, my mind drifts to weight and balance calculations. #-o Then off we go back to JC.
Set up camp and explore the area is the next item to be done. Plus have to walk and check the lineup. Borrow the van and explore Yellowpine, yeah I could live there. Enjoy the evening camp fire and hit the bag.
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Tye and Ernie walking the line, eye balling 52 Romeo

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LtoR Bub, Cliff, Tye and Ernie, enjoying the campfire.

After a decent nights sleep, well for me anymore it's as about as good of sleep I ever get. :roll: I awaken about dawn, birds a singing, campfire smoke in the air. Creek making creek noises. Next sound? Is it a big bore Continental, a high cube Lycoming with a long prop barking on take off? =D> Could it be a Pratt & Whitney on a Beaver roaring out as the sun is hitting the west ridge? =D> NO, it couldn't! It's a whining Rotax on an Experimental that breaks the morning mountain music. :shock: :lol: Probably the future of GA. Miniscul fuel burn compared to the others. Price ownership a concern to everyone I'm sure.
Next morning Tye and Ernie head home, Cliff and I head for breakfast. Tye, a relitive young man with a lot on his plate needed to get back to business at hand. :? Hmm, been there, done that. As I see it now, over rated. But you couldn't tell me that when I was his age. :roll:
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So after breakfast and back at JC, Cliff heads out I tag along and watch the master at work with the fly rod. :P 8)

Mosey down to Yellowpine again for some cold refreshment. Did I mention it was HOT! Upper 90s, yeah DA through the roof. Fellowship by the campfire, up bright and early Monday morning, load up and head home. Smooth crisp air, sun at our back! Does'nt get any better than that. 8) Touch down and I'm back home by 0805hrs, wife's at work, son's at work, daughter heading out the door to work. Me, ha, nap time. :lol: :lol:

Upside, great facility, good hot showers, great location, relitivley easy strip to get into. Downside? Ha there is none. Thanks Cliff for taking me along. I had a great time.

C ya, Bub
Skylane offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. I agree with you. There is no downside!
skymaule offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Man I love to see a Cherokee 180 in the backcountry!! Thanks for the report Bub. You sold me on the breakfast- Looks like you have some good "bub's" too.
SixTwoLeemer offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Bub, that was a great TR! I like reading the play by play narrative, makes me feel like I'm there. Thanks.
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Bub...don't believe I've ever met you...knudos on your trip to JC, looks like you had a good time. Good friends are what it is all about! Wish you well :D
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Bub: Very glad you got back into the air and had a nice visit to JC. You may have traded your blade driving for the keyboard, you definitely have the talent to be a travel writer, good job. Wendy and I are starting to see the light at the end of our tunnel and may be able to have Mexican food with you and Bren on our way north in awhile. Will keep you posted. Later, FW
FloatFlyer offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Bub-ba,, how do you post a pic's on this website,,it won't let me cut and paste,I'll have to e-mail you some pic's,so you can put them on here for me.
52Romeo offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

52Romeo wrote:Bub-ba,, how do you post a pic's on this website,,it won't let me cut and paste,I'll have to e-mail you some pic's,so you can put them on here for me.


Ernie,

I down load my pictures to photobucket, edit and link from there. I think Zane does have a tutorial somewhere on here.

It was good to see you again at lunch the other day. I'll have to start packing my talkie box, so I can have a conversation.

c ya, Bub
Skylane offline
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Robert "Bub" Wright, aka Skylane, passed away in November of 2011. He was a beloved community member and will be missed.

Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Interesting, informative, and enjoyable. great post. =D>
y4 offline
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Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

y4 wrote:Interesting, informative, and enjoyable. great post. =D>



Thanks,

C ya, Bub
Skylane offline
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Robert "Bub" Wright, aka Skylane, passed away in November of 2011. He was a beloved community member and will be missed.

Re: Johnson Creek Adventure

Hi Bub, looks like you had a great time, you deserve it. Thanks for the report.

Rob
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