Airstrip Info
| Frequency | 122.90 |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 4836 ft |
| Lat/Long |
38.7161, -110.2056 38° 42.966' , -110° 12.336' |
| Runway 9/27 |
1370 ft
x 30 ft
Dirt Rwy 27 Uphill 0.3% |
| Ownership | BLM |
Amenities
Weather
See more at the National Weather Center
Gruver’s Mesa:
Description: The airstrip sits atop Gruver's Mesa just south of the San Rafael River.
Runway: Runway 9/27 consists of a 1370’x30’ cleared section on the western end of a two-track road (the full runway length is 3500', including the uncleared portion). Runway 5/23 is 2200' and is overgrown and not recommended.
Approach Considerations: The airstrip sits atop a mesa and approaches from any direction are unobstructed.
Amenities: Primitive camping is available on the strip. No formal amenities. The location offers good access to several slot canyons nearby. Moonshine Wash and Three Finger Canyon are two of them. Via the slot canyons, the Green and San Rafael Rivers should be accessible as well.
Windsock: No
It looks like a new windsock was put up this year. The strip is in great shape. The views are pretty good too. It was disappointing, however, to see a numerous tire tracks from pilots taxiing way off the edge of the strip to turn around or park. Those tracks will take years to heal. There are ample turn around circles at both ends and one in the middle too.
A narrow little 2 to 3.5 hour slot canyon with 2 rappels to 30 feet. Or just out to the 1st rappel and back with no gear. Large frame canyoneers may not enjoy this slot and may have difficulty threading the anchor ring due to the constriction at the start of the final rappel. This canyon is right off the NE end of the airstrip
https://www.math.utah.edu/~sfolias/minislot/canyons/?i=gruvers
Moonshine Wash is an easy 1 mile hike from the runway. The west fork of Moonshine Wash can be accessed approximately mid way. Locate Moonshine Spring and follow it along its south rim. From this area the wash can be easily accessed. Turning north you'll run into a 20-30' down climb that can be managed by either chimneying down, or with ropes or webbing. Once past this obstacle, you can make it to the junction of the east and west fork. Continuing up the east you can reach the slot as well as the sheep bridge before needing to do any more up climbs.