Thanks to the efforts of Utah RAF liaison Wendy Lessig, the Utah Back Country Pilots association and the RAF are pleased to announce Taylor Flat is open! Huge thanks to all the volunteers that came out with amazing attitudes, skid steers, buckets, tools, and FOOD! We had a great time and it’s always fun to put in some hard work on airstrips with amazing people! We drove the runway at 50mph and there are some bumps, but the airstrip is in good backcountry condition! East side is a bit smoother. West end about a half mile away are power lines so be aware if doing low passes. Don’t land where the X’s are. Now to get back here with a fly rod!
There is a herd of cattle grazing there. Lots of cow poop on the runway and curious cows came to take a look after landing. Be sure to do a pass to check. Sock in good condition. Color and material fading, probably last until spring.
The walking hamburger factory still loitering all over the strip as of 12-31-25
5 months agoIn great shape. Someone has been working on clearing the x wind runway. I spent an hour continuing the process. Tools in the shed for anyone willing to put in 30 minutes of work.
1 year agoSome drone operations going on out there. CTAF is 123.45 out there and they are listening in, also SOME paramotors out there operating will be on that channel, so keep eyes peeled. Kent Price is the airport manager and is awesome, great friendly guy and supportive of people using the place. They ask that you sign a waiver when you come in and land, and throw a couple of bucks to help out. I really hope this place does not fall the way of development, would be such a great spot for an airport community. We sometimes will do gatherings here since it is local and enjoy a campfire and camp out. The gravel road is in great condition. Also allowed to land on the infield where it is more clump grass.
Nice and long, wide. Firm right through the middle and edges are a bit softer. Seems that someone has leased land right next to the strip, there is a blue container which seems to be a pump for water for perhaps cattle? They access this though through the runway, probably what the 4x4 tracks were. Will Lipscome and Karen Larsen replaced the windsock. Overall in good shape, some clumpy grass growing throughout. A few hundred feet beyond (NW) of the road that splits the strip there are some ruts and water erosion to be mindful of.
Strip is in good condition but is rougher than it looks. Some ruts and rocks hidden by the grasses. Cow poo on the runway, some possible grazing cattle but did not see any. The windsock frame is missing, and appears as if the pole was broken off...as no upper pole or frame is lying on the ground. Could possibly repair by taking in the hinged part of the windsock pole to replace.
There are some 6-8" bushes scattered throughout the strip, but plenty for room to land between them. The ground is surprisingly compact and firm. There is some GREAT landscape and geological features nearby. I'd like to return to camp and explore more of the surrounding area. Uphill landing, be conscious of go around. I landed and the ground was surprisingly firm yet smooth.
A beautiful spot for camping. Some very rugged terrain surrounding the strip, but amazing views. Had a left to right crosswind landing uphill one day and a tailwind sinker on final the next. This is a narrow strip. Be aware of winds here as they are frequent I'm told. Would be a prime candidate for a windsock and possible location for the new weather stations. Fuel at Cal Black, call ahead to make sure there is actually fuel though.
Lakebed is in great shape. Went down with a few other friends to take care of the bonfire pit problem. We made a dent, but there will be a scar for years. We cleared all the big rocks and got as much dirt cleared as we could, but still there are hundreds of nails and screws. We decided to spread the dirt out so the wind could take care of the rest of the dirt (what we couldn't get with prop blast), and leave behind the nails and screws for a return trip. I would recommend not taxiing over it, and if you're there, take some time and pick up as many nails as you can. I'm going to return with a magnet and clear as many as I can here next chance I get. Once the wind has a chance to blow down there, another couple shovels full of rocks should take care of the rest of the rocks...but it will take years before this scar is gone...sadly. Windsock is in decent shape, should last until our fly-in event in May. I replaced some zipties on it that had broken off, otherwise should be good!
I would love to offer my time and aircraft for clean up project like these. I have never landed off of the pavement before but want to. A hardpan like this looks like a great place to learn and also help out with clean up and haul away. My 206 is definitely capable of carrying a load of trash out of the desert. Please reach out to me if i can be of assistance. Skyler Smith 801-647-3687
1 year agoGot 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.
Would love to volunteer to help if I’m available when the team is put together
1 year agoGreatly 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 10” tail wheel. Road construction is out of my field, but does anyone have any thoughts how that service could be firmed up?
1 year agoWent 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!
Stopped into Split Mountain on my way home from Arkansas. Right next to Dinosaur National Monument, it has some amazing scenery in the area. The strip is uphill to the north, and is good and firm. I landed to the south, downhill, but would recommend landing uphill. If a go around is needed, try to decide early as there is rising terrain. Shouldn't be an issue though as there is room for turns away from that terrain. Takeoff to the south downhill typically. Lots of neighbors around so stop in and stay a bit. Some old hangars to take a look at. Unfortunately I wasn't able to meet the owners but perhaps next time. I need to bring some transportation and make it into Dinosaur National Monument, which apparently is just 3 miles away!
Hey Josh, sorry we missed you. We do have a rental car available. Not asking much just enough to keep it running and insurance.
2 years agoSeemed 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?
The runway has firmed up since I was last there in March 2023. Lots more cow poop and hoof holes though. CAUTION: look for cows on the airstrip. We landed and upon taxiing back noticed one bull right off the edge. I'd recommend a low pass to look for them and hopefully scare them away from the strip. Downstream end in good condition, upstream end still soft and sandy and has some a trench rut going through it.
Went out with Gary Hilley and drug about 1000 feet of the runway. By establishing use and showing reports to this strip, it will help our ability to have the county come in and grade the runway. We also put up a brand new windsock and windsock stand. Runway still has some bushes and clump grass in the runway, a few bumps, but the big stuff we took out by hand and with the drag. We think with a bit of time and another drag day and the strip will be pretty good. Ended up with about 1000 feet usable, with more room for emergency runout. BIG thanks to Gary and his family for coming out with the drag and tools and making this happen. Saw lots of cows and wild horses in the area, and lots of traffic going down to hidden splendor.
Big thanks to Gary Hilley for working on the parking area...it is fantastic! The majority of the runway is still very soft. From the downstream end where the road meets the runway, to about 150 feet before the first parking turnout, it is soft sand/dirt. The far down stream end is firm, but also has some sinkholes on the right side (looking upstream). After you pass the second parking turnout going upstream, it again becomes very soft...almost moon dust in some locations, and is more like a beach than a runway. The upstream area near the windsock there is a VERY large rut, and the dirt is sandy and soft. Could cause a lot of directional problems. I would exercise extreme caution for anything but large tires/bushwheels. There are firm spots, but they are 200-300 feet and in between large soft/sandy sections. Lots of pictures included.
There was more water than I've seen there before. Much of the lakebed looked wet. I inspected with several fly overs and rolling of tires, as well as watching the motorcycles in the area. Landing in the recommended location just southwest of the island, the ground was firm. After getting out I walked miles of the lakebed and found most of it to be firm. I would steer clear of any standing water, staying well away from it. I walked right up to the waters edge and while the ground was still firm right up until the waterline, there was noticeable tackiness and mud 30-50 feet before the water (likely from receding water). As always, use caution. I recommend a pass or two just to double check as we may get more rains soon.
Trenches across the runway. Unsafe to land.
We'll likely remove it since your report matches what we've thought was there on Google Earth. Thanks for the report!
4 years agoThe strip is somewhat rough, 2 track atv/off-road trail. Did a low pass to check the winds and condition, scared a herd of deer so recommend a low pass (at any backcountry strip of course). Removed a big rock that was in the middle of the strip and a saw blade, and picked and tossed some smaller rocks too. walked the strip and it’s in decent shape, but rockier than a hidden splendor or something. Would recommend slightly bigger tires. 8.50 minimum. There were some campers nearby. Nice little spot for an overnight or a lunch break from StG. Uphill landing to the north, with a bit of rising terrain be aware. Did a downhill takeoff into lowering terrain.
Landed on the road to get boots on the strip. There are sections where a big tired cub would be okay, but the strip in general is pretty rough with a lot of hidden mounds, logs, rocks, that are not easily seen. The road is in spectacular shape though lol. I wonder if the county would consider grading this next time they grade the road. I would consider this airstrip closed to anything other than big tires. Also there was an Antelope heard near and cows.
Airstrip is a bit soft in some spots and trenches from wheels have formed. A rake and a few hours would flatten it out, and then the rains will settle it I think. Leaves are beautiful right now, probably soon on their way out. Also, the fire pit needs ashes buried. We should probably help make people aware that the should bury their ashes in this wilderness area.
Went out to check on the runway and parking area. A good dense rain will help everything to settle, but the runway is in good shape. I went out and scraped the arrow of the old paint in preparation for a weekend to get out there and paint it again. Windsock in great condition. The new parking area is amazing!
Went down with the UBCP work crew. Took out some growing vegetation on the runway, leveled a few spots and channeled runoff further away from the runway. Airstrip is in great shape. What an approach! Use caution and check the winds. Read the above and definitely overfly to evaluate the approach if you’ve never been.
