Happy Canyon | Utah Back Country Pilots Association

Happy Canyon

UT97
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Airstrip Info

Frequency 122.90
Elevation 4941 ft
Lat/Long 38.1569, -110.2916
38° 9.414' , -110° 17.496'
Runway 09/27 1385 ft x 50 ft
Dirt
Rwy 9 Uphill 1.4%
Ownership SITLA (State School Lands)

Amenities

Weather

See more at the National Weather Center

Information updated March 8, 2023 @ 11:00am

Description: Strongly suggest obtaining local knowledge prior to landing for the first time. Landing strip currently leased to Utah Back Country Pilots for non-commercial use only. UBCP requests no man-made artifacts (drill bits, tools, etc.) be removed. Emergency water and runway grading tools in shack.

Runways: RWY 9 is uphill 1.38% and has displaced threshold due to overgrown brush. East end 50 feet higher. Touch down point may be difficult to determine by the first time visitor. Threshold markers should be present.

Additional runway 18/36: 845 feet long x 50 feet wide, very soft dirt. Slightly uphill to the north.

Approach Considerations: Unfamiliar pilots should positively identify the touchdown zone as the runway appears to be longer than it is. Recommend land east, depart west.

Amenities: Parking areas are at east end and very soft.

Windsock: Wind sock west of miner's shack.

Paul Barry visited 1 week ago in a Maule M-5 with 26" tires

The runway is in good shape. We replaced this sock too since we were on a roll!

3 Likes , 0 Comments


Josh Kelson visited 5 months ago in a PA-18 SuperCub with 31” tires

Went down to Happy Canyon for an expedition to the Dirty Devil. About an 11 mile hike one way. While at the airstrip I rehabilitated about 50 feet of runway right at the west end. If someone goes down there and remembers to bring some orange or white paint...hit those cones on the end with a good spray! Also, please be aware of postholing...turning your aircraft on 1 tire. It makes a big hole that can set up and get firm. I fixed before we left. Runway is in good condition, same as always!

7 Likes , 0 Comments


Regan Richmond visited 6 months ago in a Cessna 150/150 with 8.0 tires

Great strip, has some bumps and hips, but a fun spot and good intro strip for backcountry flying.

3 Likes , 0 Comments


Josh Kelson visited 7 months ago in a PA-18 SuperCub with 31” tires

Same as always. A bit bumpy on the east end, but overall it's in great shape. Work party scheduled here this spring. It was dry though which I wondered about because of the winter rains we've been getting in the state. Beautiful as ever!

2 Likes , 0 Comments


Historic Mining Camp

Added by Wendy Lessig 3 years ago

There is a historic mining shack at the Happy Canyon airstrip. It contains numerous historic relics, petrified wood, and paraphernalia from early in the last century, almost like a private museum for pilots to enjoy. There is also a cache of emergency supplies and tools for pilots to use and replenish. Use caution in and around the shack, as it is old and structurally frail. Please do not remove any of the historic relics and leave them for the next pilot to enjoy. Great airstrip for camping & stargazing.

Happy Canyon Slot Canyon

Added by Josh Kelson 5 months ago

It's an 11 mile hike down to the Dirty Devil where there is a slot canyon with some pretty incredible views along the way. There are NO springs on the way, so water must be carried, making sure you have enough for down and back. You could pull water from the Dirty Devil for the way back, using Alum to filter the silt out first before a water purifier. We split the trip up into two days and stayed 1 night on the trail. A good amount of hiking, but doable. Slot canyon can have water in it so be prepared with extra shoes, pretty muddy. We went end of April and no water above the thigh that year.

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We haven't written a history for this airstrip yet. If you would like to provide us with some information about this strip, please contact us today!