Mexican Mountain Work Party

While we wait for the BLM to approve the use of a wilderness airstrip contractor to restore the airstrip at Mexican Mountain, the UBCP Board has decided that waiting for this approval is unacceptable. Through the provisions of our agreements regarding casual maintenance of the airstrip, we’re calling on a few members who are looking to add some fun and adventure to their November schedules.

Calling ourselves the UBCP Sled Dogs, we’re going to drive down to the airstrip and after hiking the 2.5 miles to the runway, we’re going to fill in the erosion damage on the landing surface and make Mexican Mountain accessible to all once again.

Before going into too much detail, there’s a few things we have to make sure that we understand before heading down to do the work:

1. The Mexican Mountain airstrip is a wilderness airstrip in a wilderness area, meaning all the wilderness rules and regulations apply. For starters, no use of wheeled conveyances (such as bicycles or wheelbarrows), drones, or motorized and/or mechanized tools, and we’ll be packing out everything we packed in.

2. Speaking of everything we’re packing in, you will need to haul in everything that you may need. Water, shelter, food, hand tools such as shovels, rakes, picks, and the like, and any other necessities you may need. Because we are all driving in, we will have limited abilities to move gear and supplies for ourselves, let alone others. As a point of caution, many experts suggest 1L of water per 2 hours of hiking. Knowing that we’ll likely be working hard moving rocks and dirt on the runway, water will be the heaviest thing in our packs, especially those of us planning on working a few days.

3. The hike into the Mexican Mountain airstrip is 2.5 miles long with 200’ of descent and 500’ of ascent. To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to drive 14 miles down a freshly-graded dirt road that starts at the Swinging Bridge Campground. Having surveyed the road from above this month, it appeared to be in great condition, well suited for a rented Toyota Corolla.

Those of you who would love to join our efforts at Mexican Mountain we will have Board Members camping at the airstrip November 6-10 who will be coordinating our efforts. Again, this is a drive-in only work party that requires you to carry all the necessities, including gloves and hand tools. As we honor the rules and regulations of the wilderness, we’re asking those of you who are willing and able to join us for one day (or more!) to fill out the following form:

Mexican Mountain Work Form - Required!

Questions about this work effort should be directed to the Board at 385-220-5313.