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SkySteve
09-30-2012, 08:15 PM
Just got back from a great weekend flying and camping in the Utah backcountry sponsored by the Utah Back Country Pilots. Unlike Idaho where most of the backcountry airstrips are up in the mountains, many of Utah's backcountry airstrips are down in the canyons. Here are a couple of samples of where we landed:

The first two photos are Mexican Mountain. Located in a deep box canyon with Mexican Mountain in the middle of the canyon at the end of the box. Fly to the end of the box canyon about 1,000 feet below the rim, make a 180 degree turn behind Mexican Mountain between the mountain and the side of the box canyon and immediately land on the airstrip. The strip is fairly soft, narrow and has trees on both ends and along both sides. Makes your heart pump!
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/CCB233DC-B2D5-460B-8452-0823F0C50311-967-000000D81112B8A0.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/8782EB58-07DD-4904-9E6A-D3927E74911B-967-000000D8332DBD52.jpg

These next two photos are of Hidden Spendor airstrip. You fly over a 6,000 ft canyon ridge line, then drop into the canyon about 1,000 ft and fly just above the river thru a couple of tight S turns. Then you come to an opening and land, now! Blind approach and you better be low, turn fast and land on the uphill strip. Again, a real heart thumper.
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/7B431FA1-1393-4E06-A5DB-4A1207AE01B5-967-000000D8561606C1.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/46432577-0ED4-4574-8378-9EE336FA6BF5-967-000000D876F3464C.jpg

ackselle
09-30-2012, 08:20 PM
Thanks Steve! Looks like you had a great weekend. Keep the pictures and stories coming

Dick B in KY
10-01-2012, 06:01 AM
What??? No video. Just kidding, looks like you had some fun flying and excitement.

Dick B

ackselle
10-01-2012, 06:29 AM
I'm with Dick..... I love the pictures, but video would be a real added bonus.

Next time?

SkySteve
10-01-2012, 06:44 AM
I kept forgetting to turn on my wing camera (probably nerves) but I think Kris took some vids with her IPhone. I'll review them and hopefully be able to make something out of them. Gotta say it is an awesome place to fly.

SkySteve
10-01-2012, 04:51 PM
Here is a vid of landing at Hidden Splendor from a 182 that I was flying with. He followed me in. He entered the canyon at a little different spot and didn't descend quite as fast as I did, but what a rush flying in there.
http://youtu.be/KTU3iMzbD-0

ackselle
10-01-2012, 05:51 PM
WOW! What else can you say? That is splendid!

DesertFox4
10-01-2012, 05:54 PM
Way to go Steve. Great photos. Beautiful country.

cubtractor
10-01-2012, 06:53 PM
Very nice!

DanB
10-01-2012, 07:59 PM
Looks like fun Steve!

kmach
10-02-2012, 06:09 AM
That's some kind of an approach course !

N82HB
10-06-2012, 07:14 AM
Steve,
I just got done moving 2 Super Cubs south to AZ with a buddy. I sure screwed up not checking in with you. We stayed Monday night on the south strip on Freemont Island. The Tuesday we flew into Mexican Mountain and then stayed the night at Hidden Splendor. It was a great time.
There is not much room to park at Mexican Mountain, but what a great spot for a small gathering. And October is clearly the month. Next time I will be in the Fox.
Count me in!
Kelly

Did you read the sign on the windsock at Hidden Splendor? Fun history.

SkySteve
10-06-2012, 08:03 AM
Kelly,
Yes, you screwed up! Call, email, PM or whatever. Next time. I'm always looking for someone to fly with. I would have flown out to meet you at Freemont Island in a heartbeat.

There is a neat place to camp at Mexican Mt in the trees between the strip and the river. We plan on going back again and speding some time there. No, I didn't read the plaque but we did go up to the Petroglyphs and the old capped oil hole. Did you find Jebidiah Curry's gravestone? 1874-1911. There is also a trail said to be used by Butch Casidy's Wild Bunch and the Kid Curry gang but we didn't take the time to explore it. Too many airstrips, too little time.

N82HB
10-06-2012, 08:19 AM
Steve,
We didn't do any exploring, had to keep heading south. There will be a next time!

The sign said it was built for a uranium mine owned by Jackie Cochran's husband. He mined a million dollars of uranium out and then sold it. The price? 9 million dollars and a PBY Catilina. Funny!

I will be back.
Kelly

SkySteve
10-06-2012, 08:27 AM
Kelly,
Yes, the sign at Hidden Spendor, I was reading too fast and thought you said Mex Mt. The tailings of the uranium mine standing there with a sign not to get it on you (as you stand in the wind).

SkySteve
10-08-2012, 06:56 PM
Even though I kept forgetting to turn on my wing camera, it turns out that Kris recorded several clips on her iPhone. I was able to put together a little video of our landing, exploration and departure of Mexican Mountain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xrIYgWeXfg&feature=em-subs_digest-newavtr

ackselle
10-08-2012, 08:25 PM
Thanks Steve, nice video. Does your dog look forward to flights? Is she/he ok with the noise. Vie often thought of taking our dog up......but he's a 220lb St Bernard...... Danger!

SkySteve
10-08-2012, 08:39 PM
Ackselle,
Our dog loves to fly. She has gone with us since she was a pup. She does have, and she does wear "Mutt Muffs". She sits on my wife's lap for awhile, then snuggles between us as in the video and goes to sleep. She even pees just before each flight! Here's my recommendation re your dog: Loose 210 lbs (so your dog is the same size as my dog) and take him with you, or not. :):D

DesertFox4
10-09-2012, 09:56 AM
Loved the video Steve. Your scenery is magnificent.:):)

SkySteve
10-10-2012, 02:35 PM
Yesterday I discovered I had indeed turned on the wing camera for the departure out of Hidden Splendor airstrip. A 180 degree climbing turn heading towards, then away from the slot canyon.
http://youtu.be/z334OEEb7TQ

ackselle
10-10-2012, 03:01 PM
Nicely done Steve! Thanks