Drug agents on Monday seized about 100 marijuana plants, worth up to $50,000 when harvested. The plants were discovered last May when rescuers stumbled across them while responding to a plane crash in the Colorado River near Mineral Bottom, according to Grand County sheriff's deputies. Chesterfield, Mo., pilot Michael LaMar, 46, was not injured in that crash. Deputies said no one has been arrested in the marijuana case.

46-year old Michael LaMar landed his plane on the Mineral Bottom airstrip and noticed the airstrip had sand in the middle so he took off again. The Chesterfield, Mo., resident then clipped some trees on his way back up.

The plane then tumbled back down and landed in the Green River.

LaMar's plane was partially submerged in the water and volunteers in canoes paddled out to him and rescued him.

Dear Back Country.org,

I have watched the thread organizing a fall fly-in at Happy Canyon, Utah. UBCP (Utah Back Country Pilots Assoc.) encourages back country flying, and Happy Canyon is open un-restricted, but please allow me to pass on some cautions to consider about the landing strip.

Happy Canyon is a one way landing strip and is only 1400 feet long. The touch down threshold must be positively identified. The original bladed area below the threshold is extremely rocky with large boulders on the non-usable portion of the runway. The threshold was marked with traffic cones, but these are now faded and may be difficult to see from the air. The cross wind strip is very short and we consider it not usable. It has received no maintenance and is extremely soft. It also has scattered sage brush along its full length.

There is no real parking area. Except for a small area in front of the old miners shack, both sides of the runway are soft and difficult to maneuver and park. Expect nearly full power required to get in and out.

Due to the nature of the sharp cliffs in the immediate area, a slight wind can create considerable mechanical turbulence. If there is much wind, expect wind shear near the ground. The breeze usually blows down the canyon in the afternoon and departures typically have tail winds.

I do not want to dictate where you want to have a fly in, but my personal opinion is that Happy Canyon might not be the best place. I believe the landing strip has some unique hazards and is not suited to a wide cross section of airplanes. It certainly demands previous back country experience to access safely. Parking any more than a few airplanes will be very dusty. One last caution; the miners shack contains considerable rodent debris. The area of the shack has not been tested for Hanta Virus but the virus is known to exist in this area of Utah, so avoid stirring any dust in the interior of the shack.

Unfortunately, Mineral Canyon was "altered" by Mother Nature last year during the severe flooding that swept through the river bottom. The landing strip is still useable, but the first third or so of both ends of the runway are now covered with very soft sand, making taxiing very difficult. The local air taxi operator got stuck there earlier this spring.

You might consider Fry Canyon as a destination. There is more room to park and camp. There is a lodge a mile or so down the road, but I'm not sure if it is open. In western Utah, Ibex Dry Lake is also a great fly-in location - no problem parking there! Bring your own fire wood. Marble Canyon below Glen Canyon Dam is also a great location, but not terribly remote.

Sincerely,

Steve Durtschi, Pres.
Utah Back Country Pilots

shortfielder wrote:I guess I screwed up again. I am cancelling any plans to go to Happy Canyon Oct. 5-7.
Gary