The annual "clean out the plane first and then take both doors off" and go look at the fall colors" flight. Really a lot of fun and man oh man the viz is unreal

Brad, thanks for the locations!

Kurt

I flew up to Watson Lake and went exploring for a few days.

This is the Liard River just upstream from the confluence of the Toad River



The Smith River Emergency Airstrip. Part of the North West Staging Route.



185 by fire light.



Coal River Hotsprings. Once the subject of a National Geographic Artical.



At Northern Rockies Air Charter Dock.



Kechika River in the the Rocky Mountain Trench



Gataga River looking south to a cloud deck over the Rocky Mountain Trench.



Headwaters of the Gataga working my way over the divide to Tuchodi Lake.



Tuchodi Lake

Looks like a fun trip Pinecone. How's the new engine/prop combo treating you?

Great photos Pinecone. Thumbs up!!!

The engine and prop combo. It's really hard to tell, but I feel like I'm getting more thrust. I didn't do before and after tests with any scientific control. The short story is that I'm satisfied. It's very smooth and quiet. I get good speed on wheels or floats. I'm looking forward to installing my engine monitor and dialling it in a bit better.

I have to say that I'm not a fan of loud motorcycles, but I did like making a spectacle of myself with the long two blade and 2850 RPM. I miss that, but the whisper of the MT at 2700 is also very cool. I'd guess that the MT made more of a difference than the 550. The airplane needs a bunch more TLC. It's not up to my standards yet, but I'm making headway. Tough when it's on floats, but I'll get back to improving it when it goes back on wheels in the next month.

Funny, I get it on wheels, and I can't wait to put it back on floats. Once I'm on floats, I'm looking forward to wheels again.

Thanks for the PIREP. Been looking at a different engine for my 180 lately. We'll see what come of that.
I'm lucky that I don't he many lakes nearby, keeps the float temptation at bay. Haha. I am hoping that we get enough snow to run skis this year though!

Good times!!!

parked on the beach at Pelican tonight, just before I dropped my phone in the lake...

Good stuff in here... Can't decide who I want to visit more, Pinecone, Skalywag, or BRD.

Earlier this month Hotrod180, another Maule driver and I flew in to Skykomish (S88) for a quick picnic lunch. Not a terribly challenging spot, but gorgeous this time of year with perfect temperatures. When it's good in the Pacific Northwest, it's VERY good. Enjoying the benefits of this glorious landscape with a few friends is what keeps me in this game.

My eager passenger


One of the side canyons on the way in.


The approach up the Skykomish River


Swinging in for final landing to the west.


Parked for lunch at the adjacent picnic area

Thanks for posting the pics, FH.

I've not been to Skykomish but I have been meaning to. After seing your pics especially so.

I agree BTW. On a sunny day no place is more beautiful than WA/PNW.

The problem is the sunny day...

Fall is here (Dad took this):

Over on Pelican:

Love your pictures Brad, keep em coming! Fall colors are stunning!

Kurt

Yeah BRD, you really know how to make a guy want a SC on floats...

Yup! Gorgeous pics. Someday I hope to get my plane out that way during leave peeping season!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This was Saturday, Leaves starting to get with the program now. Mainly south of Whitefish and Pelican lakes.

[quote="BRD"]This was Saturday, Leaves starting to get with the program now. Mainly south of Whitefish and Pelican lakes.






I'm digging these top profile shots. Great work!

Flew with Greg (soyAnarchisto) in his 180 up to Wyoming yesterday. Made the urge to buy a plane (especially a 180) even stronger.