Airstrip Junkies
by Colin M. Graham

Grand Canyon West – Peach Springs, Arizona
Public / Hualapai Indian Tribe
Elevation 4,800

AZ36- This airport is not really all that exciting, it’s off the beaten path and so that’s why we’ve included it. The runway is actually paved (booo) 5,000 in length and it sits on a bluff at the very west end of the Grand Canyon. The Hualapai Indian Tribe currently owns it. They also lease it out to a few flight-seeing companies. For $37.00 they’ll take you in a bus to the edge of the canyon and serve lunch, or at least that’s what we hear. We are also told that the airport charges a landing fee so be advised.

Come on in anytime I suppose!

 

Grand Canyon Bar Ten
60 miles S Whitmore, Arizona
Private/Bar Ten Ranch, Inc.
Elevation 4,100

1Z1- Grand Canyon Bar Ten airstrip is as backcountry as you can get! Its one of only two operating airstrips on the north side of the canyon, period. Currently, the runway extends for 4,600’ and is considered in “good” condition. It’s used by the Bar Ten Ranch to fly in guests and pick them up for flight-seeing adventures around the western canyon area. The airstrip is about 4 miles north of the Colorado River. The only other way to get to the ranch is 80 miles of rugged dirt road from St. George, Utah.

A 4X4 vehicle is the only thing that will pass the route. 1,500’ of the north end of the airstrip is a chip/seal combination. During the summer season up to 200 people fly in and out of the airstrip DAILY for various reasons - so be sure to lookout for heavy air traffic. The ranch welcomes private aircraft, but call ahead before arriving:

www.bar10.com or 1-800-582-4139

Haas International Airstrip (2WY3)
4 Miles North of Merna, Wyoming

Owner: Ben Haas

Whew! What a story Ben Haas had to tell about his all-new Haas international airstrip! We talked thoroughly on October 14th (2003) about his new toy. Ben emailed me not that long ago requesting that we list his strip. The strip is a former hayfield for many years and it was built for emergencies. Mr. Haas realized that there were no airstrips between Jackson and Pinedale. It’s at a high elevation of 7,980’ and the runway extends out to a little under 3 thousand feet. And it is located beneath a Federal Airway.

It is apparently pretty flat and has wide-open approaches from either end. It is rather remote and the "town" of Merna is only a "crossroad and 17 mailboxes" as Ben put it.

Ben’s ranch consists of 280 acres that surround the airstrip. The runway was recently graded so it’s in perfect shape, though the winter snowfall may do that hard work in.

Do not confuse the airstrip with a nearby paved, lighted runway that is over 6,000 in length. This strip was built by a doctor and is protected by armed-guards with orders to shoot any trespassers. It’s about 4 miles southeast of Ben’s airport. The doctor’s airport is NOT listed on any charts.

Ben informs us that the airstrip does have the potential for having cattle and antelope on the runway, so a few low-passes may be needed in order to clear the runway of live obstructions.

Ben wishes that you call for permission to use this private airstrip (307) 733-9554

 

 

Heckendorf Ranch/Georgia Pass
Jefferson, Colorado
Private/Bob Heckendorf
9,869’ elevation


77CO- Another Colorado gem, Heckendorf Airstrip lies at 9,869’, perhaps the 2nd or 3rd highest in the Nation. The length is 3,100 feet, but only 1,800 feet is usable, the rest is being used for hay. Bob Heckendorf owns the airstrip and is a super nice guy. The airstrip has a 2:1 slope to northwest and is one way in, one way out. Bob claims to have landed many different types of aircraft on this airstrip including a twin otter and Cessna 180 ... Bob also mentions that density altitudes can reach 12,000 or 13,000 feet during the summer months. As one can imagine, the airstrip is very demanding,  but if you take the time to call Bob and fly with him for the first few times into the airstrip, he has no problem with you visiting. The strip is about 3 ½ miles west of Jefferson, Colorado. The airport is used quite a bit by Bob and his friends for about 9 months out of the year when the snow isn’t an issue.

So give Bob a shout and try this one for yourself, some day:

No images available

Bob Heckendorf  (970) 524-2500

Jewett Mesa – Apache Creek, New Mexico
Public / Unknown Ownership
Elevation 7,700

Q13- As there is no owner to contact for this airstrip, there is little to know.

Apparently the runway is about 5,200’ in length and in very poor condition with large rocks. The elevation is high at 7,700’. Each end of the runway has obstructions and slopes to clear. I can imagine this airstrip is not too airplane/pilot friendly.

But, feel free to check it out some time, it’s about 10 miles north of Apache Creek.

Large 340KV High-tension power line runs south of the airstrip! USFS confirms runway length as 5200 X 40 and in “fair to poor” condition. A windsock does exist. Airstrip appears to be open to the public, but use extreme caution. USFS Confirms actual elevation is 7,681’ --- CHECK DENSITY ALTITUDE! Airport located about 25 miles south of Quemado, NM. Livestock and wildlife on and in vicinity of airstrip!

 

 

Click on image to enlarge

 

Kinky Creek Divide                  Dubois, Wyoming

Elevation: 8,803’

Private but open to public use

WY30- Kinky Creek Airstrip lies about 30 miles east of the Grand Tetons, high in the Gros Ventre Mountain Range of Northwestern Wyoming. This is perhaps Wyoming’s best backcountry airstrip and, it’s open for public use, as long as you know “your stuff”.

The airport manager, Sparky Imeson, of www.mountainflying.com has provided some great information and images of this one. Thank you to Sparky. 

The airstrip is one way in, one way out and sits in a sage/grass covered valley at an elevation of 8,800’, Wyoming’s highest airport. Luckily for the pilot’s sake, the runway is fairly long, although narrow at only 15’ wide usable. It’s rough and the bottom (west end) according to Imeson. A pilot flying in should touchdown about halfway up the runway (landing to the east) to avoid an even rougher runway surface.

The airstrip was made in the 60’s for a nearby guest ranch. It can not be driven to by road from Kelly, Wyoming, but can be accessed by vehicle in a round about manner. Call Sparky for more information on this one:

 


Click to enlarge
Kinky Creek Divide airport
Note vehicle this side of runway and lake
photo by Sparky Imeson

 


Click to enlarge
Note cattle by propeller
photo by Sparky Imeson

 

Lost River Airstrip
Mazama, Washington  

“Lost River” … mmm ... the name itself conjures of images of a forgotten crick that flows through a land unchanged by time. And this, isn’t all that far from the truth.

The name is very fitting for this airstrip that lies along the river forming it's namesake in North Central Washington State. The strip is adjacent to a small residential resort where you can buy and rent cabins and houses in the Washington wilderness.

Rudy Peterson is the airport manager and he and I talked in depth one evening in December 2003. He is a very nice gentleman and has been flying for 60 years; he served in our Nation’s Navy during World War Two. (Thank You Rudy)

Lost River Strip is best to be considered one-way in, one-way out; even though it can be approached safely from either end depending on wind conditions. Land going west and take off to the east (1% Grade uphill to the west). Airport elevation is 2,400’ and runway length is a little over 3,100’. Most of the runway is very wide, but some parts are as narrow as 90’ … which for us, isn’t narrow!

The airport was built in the 1960’s for the resort guests and is still wide open to the public except when it’s now snowing, which is about half of the year.

Winds are often out of the west in this location. The airport does not see very much traffic. Rudy tells us that rotors can develop over the trees on the approach end of the runway, so be careful. He also advises that there are steep mountains on each of the flanks.

Call Rudy to ask further information about this airstrip: 509-996-2385

(Click on images to enlarge)


Looking east down the valley ...
strip is in lower left hand corner


Another shot looking east ...
note: large mountain (rock face) to north of field and river to south
side of strip....


Looking down at the airstrip from
a nearby mountain, to the east


Runway 29 looking to the west,
note: mountains get very rugged


Runway 11 looking to the east where
the mountains peter out into plains

 

Luckinbill Airstrip
37 miles W of Cody, Wyoming
Private/ Larry Luckinbill
Elevation 6,600

WY06-Luckinbill Airstrip lies at the southern foot of Beartooth Pass and perhaps one of Montana’s most scenic byways. Having been over this pass in late May 2002 I can personally vouch for the scenery from the 11,010’ pass. I was very close to this airstrip and had talked with the owner prior to going up there, but for whatever reason I decided to go up the pass and didn’t end up getting to the strip.

The lone Runway 8/26 is approx 2,400’ of dirt & gravel at an elevation of 6,600’.

The airstrip is private and very dangerous according to its owner.

No other information could be made available at press-time.

No Images Available

 

Manzanita Airstrip – Mariposa, California
Private / Joseph Carbaugh
Elevation 3,020

Although this airstrip sits only 3 miles off of a main road, I can consider it backcountry simply because of the layout. This strip is at an elevation of 3,020 with a total runway length of 1,100’ of smooth, well maintained turf. It slopes uphill to the north about 4 degrees, arrivals are made to the north while departures are made to the south. The airstrip lies due east (090) from the Mariposa-Yosemite Airport.

Joe says the airstrip is seldom used because he sold his airplane not long ago, although he does intend on buying another soon. The strip has a slight dogleg at the top of the hill, and be careful not to hit the hangar. The name Manzanita comes from a mountain tree apparently. Joe has no problem with people landing on the airstrip so long as you call ahead. In fact, he even enjoys it.

Call Joseph at: (209) 742-7924

 

Me-Own USFS Airstrip

North of Silver City, New Mexico
Elevation 7,450’

 

1NM0- Me-Own airstrip is located about 34 miles north of the hamlet of Silver City, New Mexico. It sits in the 3-million acre Hila National Forest. The airstrip is used for forest fire suppression during the summer fire season which usually reaches it’s intensity from late April to July. Outside of the fire season, the airstrip is seldom used. The comment was made that the strip is not used as a “fire suppression base,” so there may not be THAT much traffic in and out even during fire season.

The single dirt runway 14/32 runs for 3,875 feet in length and 70 feet in width.

The surrounding terrain around the airstrip is heavily timbered by pinion juniper trees and both approach ends of the runway drop off into a steep canyon; it is located on top of a mesa.

The airstrip is not regularly maintained, but seems to keep itself in pretty good shape overall. Livestock and wildlife may be on the runway or in the immediate vicinity.

Downdrafts and turbulence will be found when arriving and departing, primarily during the afternoon hours. Apparently a drainage ditch runs along both sides of the 70’ wide runway. This airstrip is checked annually by the forest service.

There is a good windsock and there is plenty of aircraft parking. Although listed as “private” on sectional charts the airstrip is open to the public. Be extremely cautious of the fire-fighting airplanes and helicopters that will most certainly be in the area. You can announce your intentions on 120.750.

Charlie said the airport is generally open May / October. At other times it’s either under 5 feet of snow or a mucky mess.

You can reach Charlie at 505-536-2250

or contact Everett Weniger at 505-388-8451

I have been listed as the contact for back-country airstrips on the Gila
National Forest in New Mexico for the last 2 years or so. That has been
fine, I received a few calls from pilots needing info. Now I am retiring
and will not be here, who knows who will answer the phone. My position
will not be filled for some months. I would suggest calling Gila National
Forest Dispatch Center in May 2006 some time to get a new contact. They will
not know who it is until about then. Ask them who has the Aviation Program
Manager duties. Phone 505-388-8368, ask for Big Willi.

 

Melby Ranch – San Luis, Colorado
Private/Evan L. Melby
8,800’ elevation

33CO: Melby Ranch is just that, a ranch. In this case it’s a ranch of homes, or in east-coast terms, a subdivision. The strip is very long at 7,400 feet and is one of America’s highest airstrips at 8,800-foot elevation. The runway itself is 40-feet wide and rolls along a flat, sage covered plain. It’s just south of the San Luis Reservoir. Want to buy a house with a view? Check them out at: www.melbyranch.com

MESAWOOD AIRPARK (6CO2)
Robert Thrumpfheller
Outside of Cedaredge, Colorado

Located NNE of Delta, Colorado Mesawood Airpark currently sits under about two feet of snow (03-18-2005). During the flying season the airport is open and well maintained by its owner.

Runway 16/34 is considerably uphill to the north and there is 181-feet elevation difference between runway ends. Because of this, if it rains hard during the summer, the runway can get quite bumpy from the drainage. Runway elevation is 7,200 feet with the runway 2,400 feet by 60 feet. CHECK DENSITY ALTITUDE.

Locating the airstrip is fairly easy, as it is the only one in the general area and has what looks like a gravel road cut across the middle. This used to be a driveway but now leads down to a hayfield.

There are lots of trees and hills in the area and you have to move in and around them to make the approach. Mr. Thrumpfheller has no problem with visitors as long as you ask first by calling him at (970) 856-6785. He's a very nice gentleman.