Mexican Mountain | Utah Back Country Pilots Association

Mexican Mountain

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Airstrip Info

Frequency 122.90
Elevation 4461 ft
Lat/Long 39.0188, -110.4504
39° 1.128' , -110° 27.024'
Runway 11/29 1900 ft x 40 ft
Dirt
Rwy 29 Uphill 0.3%
Ownership BLM WSA

Amenities

Weather

See more at the National Weather Center

Heads up: This airstrip is temporarily closed and should not be used.

Mexican Mountain's airstrip is temporarily closed due to unsafe conditions on the landing surface. Please contact the UBCP for more information.

Information updated September 20, 2024 @ 5:56pm

Description: Mexican Mountain's runway is oriented west/east alongside the San Rafael River inside the Mexican Mountain Wilderness Study Area. Due to the sensitive nature of the location, pilots are requested to adhere to the UBCP's Code of Conduct to help us maintain our strong working agreements with the BLM. Reminder to all pilots this airstrip exists within a Wilderness Area. Motorized or wheeled conveyances are not to be used on the airstrip or surrounding areas. 

Runway: 1900 ft long x 40 ft wide dirt runway in good condition. Slopes uphill slightly to the west. First 500' from the east is more soft than the rest of the runway and has a "dark spot" that appears wet throughout the year.

Approach Considerations: Tall trees (30+ ft) on both sides of the runway present a hazard when landing to the east (downhill). Typically land to the west and depart to the east. Tall trees alongside the runway as well.

Amenities: Campgrounds and fire rings (please use already established camping/parking areas and fire rings).

Windsock: Yes, located east of the runway.

Josh Kelson visited 1 month ago in a PA-18 SuperCub with 31 tires

Got boots on the ground on a perfect, cool, day. Airstrip should be considered unsafe to operate out of as a ditch has been created by water after the airstrip was flooded, cutting the airstrip in half. Significant depth to the ditch and holes in the runway. Water looks like it covered the entirety of the airstrip, and standing water still remains off the side with mosquitos flourishing. Lots of growth happening on the airstrip, and leftover debris piles remain from the flooding in addition to the water cut ditch in the runway. UBCP is already planning to get a team in there to repair but until then I would recommend not visiting. The ditch appears fast and if several inspection passes were not done, would catch a pilot by surprise. There is about 600-650 ft usable.

2 Likes , 2 Comments


Christian Madsen

Would love to volunteer to help if Iā€™m available when the team is put together

1 month ago
Lance Weekley

Greatly appreciate this report. Thank you so much. The last time I landed, the soft sand swallowed my tail wheel completely rendering my aircraft stuck until help Arrived. Lightly loaded C-185, 8:50s, XP-Mods 10ā€ tail wheel. Road construction is out of my field, but does anyone have any thoughts how that service could be firmed up?

1 month ago
John Belz visited 1 month ago in a Cessna 185 with 29" tires

There were standing puddles on the eastern half of the runway, and a pond had formed just north of the strip. Did not land. I can't imagine this will last long, but the strip was unsafe for landing today.

3 Likes , 0 Comments


Matthew Kalm visited 4 months ago in a RANS S-20 with 26 tires

Upstream firm downstream becomes pretty soft. Overall conditions great. River is pretty full! All the cacti are in bloom.

2 Likes , 0 Comments


Josh Kelson visited 7 months ago in a PA-18 SuperCub with 31ā€ tires

Seemed about the same as always. The dowstream end was firm. Upstream end had a few bumps on takeoff. The signage of the UBCP has come off the stand. Gary Hilley and I are working on getting it replaced. If you visit before I get down there to grab the sign, leave it be and I'll pick it up. There were more cow hoof holes than normal, and more cow pies (not many on the runway). The two trees on the upstream end...I wonder how long it will be until they impede the approach?

0 Likes , 0 Comments


Matthew Kalm visited 10 months ago in a RANS S-20 Raven with 26ā€ tires

East end of the runway was muddy. If you go in early it should be frozen. The west end was dry and firm. No snow on the runway. Landed just past the muddy area and was fine. parking area is great condition.

1 Like , 0 Comments


San Rafael Trail

Added by Tyler Gleave 3 years ago

An 18 mile loop featuring spectacular views of the Mexican Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA). You'll want a GPS and track to help navigate route finding, including locating down climbs that will be required.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/utah/san-rafael-river

Sheriff Azariah Tuttle, Jr. Historical Marker

Added by Brent Rowser 3 years ago

Historical marker for Sheriff Azariah Tuttle, Jr. From the plaque: Azariah Tuttle, Jr., sheriff of Emery County, brought the law down on notorious Texan outlaw Joe Walker and other outlaws--the likes of Butch Casidy, Elza Lay, John Montis, and C.L. Gunplay Maxwell"

Mexican Mountain Petroglyphs

Added by Wendy Lessig 3 years ago

Several large rocks with petroglyphs are a short 5-min walk down the trail that begins at the airstrip windsock. Please do not touch or deface the petroglyphs so they can be preserved for future generations of pilots.

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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!