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!
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.
1 week 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!
1 year 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.
