I'm looking for landing locations convenient to wilderness backpacking areas in Eastern New Mexico (ex. Pecos Wilderness, Sangre de Christo mountains, etc.) Closer to a trailhead is better. There aren't a whole lot of charted airports in that part of NM, but if anyone knows of one that is close to good backcountry trails, I'd appreciate a little local knowledge.

Not sure what the local law is regarding off-airport landings, but if I won't get my plane impounded I'm not opposed to using a ranch road or such. My 170 is not tundra tire equipped, so I can't handle anything too rough.

Muchas gracias,

PilotMike

Sweet!! More 170 drivers...

yeah, underpowered 170 drivers...

BRD wrote:yeah, underpowered 170 drivers...

Mine could be PT-6 powered...

Not exactly on-topic,but...
Quite a few years ago, I spent a week at the NRA's Whittington Center near Raton NM. Beautiful country and facility. Anyway, I was wondering if they had an airstrip. New mexicans, or anyone else know?

Eric

Pilot Mike / Eric:

I'm not aware of anything close enough to give you backpacking access to the Pecos, but you might consider the Gila.

There are a couple of strips in the Gila that are wonderful spots. Me Own and Negrito are both near great camping spots (near Silver City in the SE part of the state). Especially Me Own, which is within easy walking distance of Black Canyon (headwaters for the Gila River) and the Gila and Alfred Leopold Wilderness areas.

Both are on the sectional or on the NM Aeronutical Chart. I haven't been to either lately but they are usually in pretty fair shape.

It is getting kind of late now for a trip (although we are enjoying exceptional weather right now), so watch the weather if you are still wanting to go this year.

As for Raton, I can't remember the guy's name that runs the FBO there in Raton, but he is a great guy (a fellow 180 driver). He will see that you get a car and it is only a short drive up the canyon to the Cimarron river and some really nice fishing!!

For those of you that are interested, a few of us are working to get a backcountry website together for NM strips. There are not as many as Idaho and Utah, but there are some really pretty spots!! I will keep this website posted as that develops.

Hope that helps!!!

Regards, Larry

skywagon88h wrote:Pilot Mike / Eric:

I'm not aware of anything close enough to give you backpacking access to the Pecos, but you might consider the Gila.

There are a couple of strips in the Gila that are wonderful spots. Me Own and Negrito are both near great camping spots (near Silver City in the SE part of the state). Especially Me Own, which is within easy walking distance of Black Canyon (headwaters for the Gila River) and the Gila and Alfred Leopold Wilderness areas.

Both are on the sectional or on the NM Aeronutical Chart. I haven't been to either lately but they are usually in pretty fair shape.

It is getting kind of late now for a trip (although we are enjoying exceptional weather right now), so watch the weather if you are still wanting to go this year.

As for Raton, I can't remember the guy's name that runs the FBO there in Raton, but he is a great guy (a fellow 180 driver). He will see that you get a car and it is only a short drive up the canyon to the Cimarron river and some really nice fishing!!

For those of you that are interested, a few of us are working to get a backcountry website together for NM strips. There are not as many as Idaho and Utah, but there are some really pretty spots!! I will keep this website posted as that develops.

Hope that helps!!!

Regards, Larry

Fantastic information! Just what I was looking for. I suppose they're on the USGS quads as well. I just moved my 170 up to Dallas from San Antonio. Now I'm basically a fuel stop closer to a lot of really great spots. Just spent the weekend in Santa Fe and while that was nice, I can't wait to go back and get off the beaten path.


As far as "the season" goes, when would be a good time to get out in the backcountry in the spring?

Zero.One.Victor
I got drawn for the Elk hunt at Wittington Center. Spent a week there also. Neat area, much different from my Illinois back yard. I don't remember about a landing strip.

When I lived in Raton 5yrs ago there was no landing strip at Whittington Center. The Raton airport is across the hwy and a couple miles down the road.

Pilot Mike:

The "season" has really varied for the last few years. Last year was one of the hardest winters I have seen in many years and was covered with snow by now. For the most part however, the Gila enjoys a shorter Winter than those areas farther north. So usually, you can get in later and earlier than the Pecos and farther north, etc.

Right now we are having an incredible fall and I it looks like this kind of weather could continue for a while longer. Normally, however, you can't count on much after 11/1. The end of March will be a pretty safe time to think about for the spring, but I really recommend you check in with some of the Forest Service stations and confirm the condition of the strip (which you should do anyway).

Also, you are correct that both strips are on the sectionals and on the topo maps. You shouldn't have much trouble locating them. If your 170 is a 145, I strongly recommend that you go in real light and early your first time. It is still around 6k to 7k and you need to watch density altitude.

Zero One Victor:

Info you got is right. No strip at the center, but go into the Raton airport and they will get you fixed up. Really good people there.

Hope you enjoy NM!!!

It's been many moons since I've been there, and I've never landed at the airport (I remember it was paved and seemed well-enough maintained),
but I've always wanted to return to Timberon, NM. My family has a plot of land up there we've used in the past for camping, and it would fit quite well with a visit to them in nearby Alamagordo. If it hasn't changed much, it's a very nice place for hiking, camping, and hunting. Though... if I remember correctly, the fishing was awful.
http://www.flightcentral.net/AirportsDe ... px?id=52NM

Velojym:

The Timberon strip is still there and actually, they have recently done some improvements to it and I hear are anxious to have visitors. One of the guys I know from Alb is in the NM Pilots Assocation and got to talk to the folks who are working to keep the strip up and increase the traffic to there.

I haven't been there but everyone says it is a beautiful spot.

If you are interested, PM me and I will give you their email address to get more info on Timberon.

Regards, Larry

P.S. What's bad fishing? If I am out on a stream with a pole in my hand, it is a good fishing day!

Should have dug through some of the old posts earlier!

Mike,
are you still in the Dallas area? and have you been out to NM yet? I'm in Bridgeport, TX and have been looking at trying some trips out to East NM for some backcountry flying.

Skywagon 88h,
I read your string about the meeting for NM flying, how did the meeting go? Sorry i missed it, but i'd be interested.

timberon is still alive and well. took the cub in there a few weeks back, the wind was picking up so we just turned around and headed back out. There was a group of people waving as we turned around and they seemed happy to see a little traffic, i didn't see anyone holding a shotgun.

chaser wrote:timberon is still alive and well. took the cub in there a few weeks back, the wind was picking up so we just turned around and headed back out. There was a group of people waving as we turned around and they seemed happy to see a little traffic, i didn't see anyone holding a shotgun.

Hi Chaser, do yo live near Timberon? I have a couple lots on the strip but have been too busy to get up there this year. Just wondering how the chip seal deal went. Would like to head up in the spring to build on one of the lots.

Take care, Rob

hey rob,
yeah i live in alamogordo, so i'm close. to be honest with you i remember hearing about runway surfacing project... but didn't pay any attention to it. i'll check it out next time and report back. Stop by ALM when you get over this way, i'm the farthest west hanger on the field.

have a good one,
chase