Good morning all. As you might see from the login info I'm from the midwest. I've been to Idaho a number of times but not much time on the western slope of Colorado. I'll be out that way later this summer and I'm looking for where to go for some overnight trips in western CO. I'll be camping over night if need be in my 185.

I appreciate the advice all!

MW185

Durango is an amazing small western town with lots to do. Maybe take the narrow gauge train up to Silverton one day or take in the Melodrama at the Stator Hotel.

185Midwest wrote:Good morning all. As you might see from the login info I'm from the midwest. I've been to Idaho a number of times but not much time on the western slope of Colorado. I'll be out that way later this summer and I'm looking for where to go for some overnight trips in western CO. I'll be camping over night if need be in my 185.

I appreciate the advice all!

MW185

Hello, check out http://www.flycolorado.org. Put together by some BCP members and friends. Your post immediately brought to mind the few below, although they are all north of the 4 corners on the western slope. Some are camping only, some like Hubbard have options for nice lodging, and GRF is lodge-only to use the strip.There are more that aren't on the western slope, but more towards San Luis valley, which in a 185 isn't far at all. I would recommend browsing the website and finding what you like. Colorado is not Utah or Idaho in terms of backcountry flying, but it's still a blast. Make sure to read the pages to see if you need permission.

If you are looking for small towns to visit, I highly recommend Creede or Leadville.

- Hubbard (9CO3) http://www.flycolorado.org/index.php/ai ... s/hubbard/
- GRF http://www.flycolorado.org/index.php/ai ... ver-farms/
- Delores Point http://www.flycolorado.org/index.php/ai ... res-point/

Camping in Marble is great

The RAF URL doesn't seem to be working but you can email Sue at [email protected] for permission to land/camp a week or two ahead of time. I can try to dig up the waiver and briefing in the mean time if the RAF site doesn't work soon.

E91 at Chinle is at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly. It is the prettiest canyon in the SW, in my opinion. It and Canyon del Muerto, the southern arm can both be flown high. 2,000' sandstone walls, straight up.

Y'a T'e and a zero pump, zero squeeze (yes completely limp) handshake will comfort the Navajo. You have to call ahead for lights, but its like the ocean out there at night. One person every seven square miles. Day operations are safer and more to see.

contactflying wrote:….Y'a T'e and ….

I've seen that spelled out as yah tah hay, yah ah tay, and yah tay.
Maybe they're all three correct depending where on the rez you are?

Yes, but the bumper sticker anywhere on the rez reads, " God bless John Wayne."

If you get out give me a buzz, fellow wagon driver near Albuquerque.

BazzLow wrote:Camping in Marble is great

The RAF URL doesn't seem to be working but you can email Sue at [email protected] for permission to land/camp a week or two ahead of time. I can try to dig up the waiver and briefing in the mean time if the RAF site doesn't work soon.

Is it still open at all? It seems to have disappeared from relevant sites. I emailed Sue a while back but never heard anything, though some local chatter suggests they just got sick of the shenanigans.

I believe it is open. There were a couple of guys through here last week that had been camping there.
That being said, I have emailed Susan to confirm.
The RAF website is a new platform. The "airport/safety briefing" tab takes you to the airfield.guide website. A wonderful tool if you haven't tried it yet. That being said, it is still being populated with airstrips and info. Marble is not there yet.
Send me an email at [email protected] and I can send lots of info on local strips. I also have a Google Earth KMZ file I can send that has the location of the local strips. Then you can "pre fly" using GE. Pretty cool.
Tom

All,

Thanks so much for the advice and ideas. Please keep them coming!

185MW

If you come through Durango drop me a line I'll get you pointed in the right direction. Land at Animas Airpark, closer to town.

Brad