Tony's profile

I wanted to land here and hike to the lookout, but the winds were high and gusty at the canyon rim, so I limited myself to a touch&go and a flight along the rim of the canyon. I couldn't see a windsock after circling twice, so I suspect it was wrapped around the pole somewhere. The winds are always shifting along the canyon rim and I would recommend only landing early in the AM or at dusk, when it is calm and cooler.

I landed here at 8PM for fuel and a place to overnight. The FBO was closed, I could access the terminal but the TSA guy and the cleaners in the terminal had no idea where I could leave the aircraft. I tied down beside a Citation in front of the FBO, grabbed my stuff and used the terminal wifi to find a hotel. The Holiday Inn Express sent a car to pick me up. All of the local hotels advertised shuttle service and offer "corporate" pilot rates. The hotels and chain restaurants are all clustered in one section of town, I had no problems finding a restaurant that still served beer and a burger at 10PM. The hotel also provided a car to take me to the airport in the morning, something that a Holiday Inn Express doesn't normally do.

The next morning, the FBO staff were very friendly and quick. They moved my plane so the Citation could depart, but tied it down again just like I would do. I would go back there again if I return to explore the Snake River Canyon airstrips.

I can't find any info about this strip - is it still private or PPR? I have done low approaches numerous times, it seems there are some terrain gradient challenges at the East end of the strip. I'd be willing to take the Husky in for a visit and offer an unbiased opinion on the runway conditions.

One of the nicest places to land and camp at. The approach is a little unorthodox, a curved base/final to stay clear of the terrain. If you drag it in, you might lose sight of the runway, but if you like to slip you can come in very steeply from the East side.

Lots of wildlife on and around the strip, deer wander through your campsite at all times of the day. The Ranger at the station is very helpful with ideas of where to hike, what to see. They are always ready for a visit, the historic ranger station is right at mid-field.

Don't go here to practice your touch & goes, you will just piss off the numerous hikers and campers who are in the protected wilderness area. And the Ranger takes note.

The Fly Montana guidebook describes this strip as a good place to practice on, the field is outside of the protected wilderness area and a road runs right alongside it. Practice your backcountry approaches and higher altitude takeoffs and landings here before venturing into the more pristine (and protected) backcountry strips.