Barker Creek Ranch, NV31
Round Mountain, Nevada
Strictly Private/ C. Coleman
Elevation 6,600

NV31- Located about 6 miles north of Round Mountain, Nevada, the Barker Creek Ranch airstrip sits awaiting its only pilot and owner to once again fly from it. The runway is in poor condition and is a chip-seal surface extending for only 1,350 feet at an elevation of 6,600 feet – one of Nevada’s higher airstrips.

It lies on the east side of Big Smoky Valley and has a 7.5-percent grade to the east. Again, it is one-way in one-way out.  The owner points out the grade equals about 4½ degrees off flat. He also claims simply that “it’s VERY steep” .. Mr. Coleman has never let anyone else land here and doesn’t plan on doing so in the future due to the dangerous nature of the airstrip. There is absolutely no go-around, you either plant it on the first try or you bite the dust.

NV31 - Barker Creek Ranch
Satellite image  - click to enlarge

In the end, do not land here, ever.

Big Island – Orofino, Idaho Private/C.P.T.P.A. Elevation 2,200 Click to enlarge ID29: This airstrip is one of three owned by a company called Clearwater Potlach Timber Protective Association (www.cptpa.com). They are apparently trying to clear out underbrush to stop so many forest fires from devastating the North Central Idaho wilderness.  This airstrip lies on a bluff about 1,000 over the Dworshak Reservoir. They own two other airstrips and own leasing rights to another, all within 30 miles of each other.  Big Island is about 2,600 in length, downhill and mainly dirt.  It has a rather dangerous approach and it’s advised that one should land to the north and take off to the south. Check out www.cptpa.com and ask for the chief pilot. They may or may not give you permission, I’ve not specifically asked. Coyote Flats USFS                  Bishop, California Private (Closed) 9,989’ elevation Photo by: James D. Lawson   ID: 04CA - 37.2 North / 118.48 West (Northeast of Fresno, CA - West of Bishop, CA) Resting high above Bishop, California, at an elevation of nearly 10,000’ is Coyote Flats. Two years ago the National Park Service tore it up. But to this day, people still land on what is left of it, I hear. The history is a bit interesting; it was built in the 60’s as a Military high-altitude training airport for helicopters and airplanes. When active it was 3,000’ of paved asphalt. To the east, the earth drops 6,000’ down into the valley. To the west it climbs to over 13,500’ and into Kings Canyon National Park. Awesome. Talk to some of the local guys in Bishop if you still want to try this one. The Forest Service dug deep ruts across the runway but apparently they’ve been filled in and the runway is now dirt and in pretty good condition. Closed, but “not closed.” With the X's on either end (who placed the X's?), we do not promote use of this airstrip. Any usage is at your own risk. I visited Coyote Flats October 30, 2005 at approximately 11:00 PST the OAT was approximately 42ºF and the wind was 5 knots out of the North.   Pretty good accumulation of small clumps of vegetation growing along the runway. Some small rocks etc. Useful length is slightly diminished by the X's at either end made of rocks about cantaloupe size.   There is easily enough runway to be usable and I had no problem getting in and out of there in my Maule M4-220C with 6x8.50's. I was by myself with about 3/4 load of fuel. click to enlarge click to enlarge Avion Club (At Buckhorn Ranch) — Crested Butte, Colorado Public 8,980’ elevation 0CO2: This airstrip is also unique, aren’t they all? Again, it sits as one of the nation's highest airports at 8,980 feet. It’s publicly owned and run by a man named Carlo Cesa. I assure you that this man is “way too cool.” He even offered me a plane ride when he was in Albuquerque while I was taking my commercial tests. As of the past couple years the strip was freshly paved to 4,400’. It’s very nice and you should have no problem getting airborne off this one. Just watch the density altitude! The airstrip is also being threatened for closure by a housing developer who wants to make a road across the runway. They’ve been fighting it for about 3 years now and have, so far, won. They are in dire need of help, and for funds, so check out their website: www.cbairport.org Check the website for the current phone Friends Of The Crested Butte Airport, Inc. P.O. Box 1230 Crested Butte, CO 81224-1230 Beaverhead Airstrip North of Silver City, NM 6,750’ elevation Located 9 miles NW of Me-Own and about 40 miles north of Silver City, this airstrip serves the Beaverhead Ranger Station … about 2 miles away. It is within the Black Ranger District, if that means anything to you. The single dirt runway (12/30) is very well maintained and used on a regular basis by the USFS. The length is 3,840’ X 50’ and is located on top of a mesa. Surrounding terrain is juniper trees and plenty of aircraft parking is available. The airport IS open to the public. We’re told the strip has a very good windsock but no other facilities are available at the airstrip. Charlie at the USFS (505-536-2250) informed us that for the most part, all approaches are open but the terrain does begin to rise to the southwest of the airport. Notify other traffic of intentions on 120.750