Backcountry(ish) Flying

[Becca]

So Byron and I have starting talking about spring and summer camping trips and have been roaming various internet forums about places that we could take our plane, maybe our dog (not required) and camp, hike, swim, raft.  I am ok with completely backcountry.  Byron likes access to running water and/or electricity.  But really, we are just looking for ideas.  Anyone done anything interesting?

Just to start the conversations - here are a few options we've already "discovered" (though we've never been, if you have advice on them, let us know):

Big Bend Ranch State Park (TX): http://n5lp.net/BBSP.htm (We'd also like to go to Big Bend National Park if you have any advice on the best gateway airport.

Gaston's Ranch: http://www.gastons.com/

Petit Jean Park (Arkansas): http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/accommodations/camping.aspx

Schafer Airport (Montana):

 

(We are willing to land our plane on a well-maintained long/wide grass or dirt strip.  Hopefully we can avoid thread-creep on that topic.)

 

[Mcstealth]

Vansairforce forums has good pireps on Big Bend. They seem to like it and more than just RV's join the group.

 

[fantom]

Quote: Becca

(We are willing to land our plane on a well-maintained long/wide grass or dirt strip.  Hopefully we can avoid thread-creep on that topic.)

 

[kortopates]

Gina and I flew to Big Bend for New Years week. We usually ski then, but the snow was atrocious, so we opted to fly to Big Bend to mountain bike and see the national park. Since it was our first trip there, we really wanted a rental car. The closest airport with rental cars was Alpine – about 100 miles north. So we folded the rear seat down in the Mooney and put our two 29” mountain bikes into the rear of the plane, much like someone on the folding bikes thread described using BBQ bags. Yet Gina found some perfectly sized light “storage” bags with zippers that the bike frames would fit into (with wheels and seats removed) and some light xmas reef bags that the wheels fit into. We used bubble wrap for padding. I was sure the bubble wrap would start popping by the time we climbed up to 17-18K – but never a single pop.

I would definitely recommend the rental car approach for a first time visit. There is no other way to see the main sights and there is so much to see in the National Park as well as the scenic drive west of the State park that is described as “one of the most scenic highways in America” as it winds along the Rio Grande/Bravo. (Very scenic - but I wouldn't go that far) If mountain biking is something that interest you, the Lajitas Resort  (http://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/) has a very impressive MTB trail system of many miles of excellent single track surrounding the airport. Their trail system covers all abilities. It is so well manicured that you’ll feel like you’re riding in Disneyland! Across the other side of the hiway is the State Park that also has many excellent riding trails. All these trails are currently well maintained by the local bicyclist and shop in town.

We only briefly considered flying into the resort since it offers a nice paved runway, but we dropped that due to the $200+ a night lodging and lack of rental cars. However, if we ever go back just to MTB I’d be more interested in staying there since we’d forgo the car and be at the center of the good biking. We also checked out the dirt strip at the Terlingua Ranch – but way too rough for a Mooney.

WRT to accommodations I share Byron’s taste myself and put my nose up at anything without w-fi  J Capt Gina though would entirely agree with you and continually gives me a hard time. (Although I’ve been known to spend many nights “camping” on Yosemite walls while rock climbing there when I was younger – so I am no stranger to the outdoors.) You also might consider Chisos Mountain Lodge while touring the park. You also have many choices of very affordable places in Terlingua while touring outside of the park. Our favorite place for dinner was the Starlight Theatre in the Terlingua Ghost Town.

Have fun!

[The-sky-captain]

Becca-

I've been into Gaston's once and Petit Jean multiple times. I took a Cherokee into Gaston's when I was learning to fly but I don't think I would land my J at there. The runway isn't in bad shape by any means but from what I remember it was a little choppy in places. Petit Jean on the other hand sounds like something that you would really enjoy. The FBO is extremly friendly and can arrange rides to Petit Jean State Park which is just a few miles away and offers some of the best scenery in Arkansas with huge waterfalls, caverns, grottos and tons of top notch hiking trails. The runway is long, paved and sits upon a plateau over looking the river valley. Camp sites are at the end of the runway next to a lake and just a couple hundred feet from where you will tie your plane down. My recollection is that there is electric and water but don't hold me to it. Gaston's is a fisherman's paradise and has a really cool vibe about it as well. Either place is great but Petit Jean offers much more to do IMO.

Quote: Becca

So Byron and I have starting talking about spring and summer camping trips and have been roaming various internet forums about places that we could take our plane, maybe our dog (not required) and camp, hike, swim, raft.  I am ok with completely backcountry.  Byron likes access to running water and/or electricity.  But really, we are just looking for ideas.  Anyone done anything interesting?

 

[KSMooniac]

There is an organized fly-in weekend at Gastons in June-ish but I haven't been yet.  Popular on the AOPA Forum and others.  Lots of good PIREPS on that place.

[moodychief]

I would be careful if planning on going to Gaston's.  Several fatal accidents and very few/no outs if something breaks during takeoff.  We stay at Sportsmans Resort on the White River because they are extremely dog friendly.  We call and they pick us up at Flippin which is only 10 minutes from the resort.

[moodychief]

You might want to check this place out.  Haven't been there yet but a friend told me about it.  It is owned by husband and wife pilots.

http://www.planecrazyusa.com/

 

[Mooney65E]

Quote: Becca

So Byron and I have starting talking about spring and summer camping trips and have been roaming various internet forums about places that we could take our plane, maybe our dog (not required) and camp, hike, swim, raft.  I am ok with completely backcountry.  Byron likes access to running water and/or electricity.  But really, we are just looking for ideas.

[garytex]

Idaho has a series of backcountry airports.  The state has a listing thereof.  Mainly they are used for access  to remote hunting areas, several are near streams, and draw fishermen.   

[Mooney65E]

Quote: garytex

Idaho has a series of backcountry airports.  The state has a listing thereof.  Mainly they are used for access  to remote hunting areas, several are near streams, and draw fishermen.   

[Z W]

I flew into Gaston's last fall in the C model.  The runway was in good condition.  The above posts are good cautions, but no need to be afraid to fly in there.  They land to the west, take off to the east due to terrain. 

After takeoff, make a right-hand crosswind and follow the river as you climb.  If you turn left, you have to climb at a stiff rate to top a mountain ridge.  The fatalities there, from what I've heard, are from pilots who didn't quite make it over the ridge.

It's not "roughing it" by any means, but very cool cabins on the river and a very nice restaruant next to the runway.  Very popular Saturday/Sunday brunch buffet for pilots.

[lahso]

Quote: Zane

I flew into Gaston's last fall in the C model...

[Comatose]

Summersvile lake is west virginia is an amazing place. KSXL. Scuba, rock climbing, boating, white water rafting, cliff diving, there are cabins nearby and its a 3000 foot, nicely paved strip that rarely gets much traffic. The airport is on the lake itself.

[fantom]

We've got a courtesy car for our pilot friends who stay with us and will offer a 10% discount to anyone who mentions "MooneySpace."

Photo shows Orofino airport (S68) and the Clearwater River