Pardon..do you have any grey poupon?
A few guys are planning a trip up to ID the first week of July. None of us have been so I'd like to ask a few questions...
What did you do for food? Did you bring everything in and cook for yourself or did you fly out for breakfast, grab a snack for lunch and wonder in to Yellow Pine for beer and burgers later?
I notice it says it has WiFi. Does it really work for getting weather and the likes?
I remember reading their was a noisy, beer drinking side and a quiet family side. Which side is which?
Any must see airports for RV's?
Thanks for the replies.
Hi Sid,
I have been frequenting the back country with my RV's since 97', you have chosen
wisely. Johnson Creek is an ID showplace where you can take a girl and "uptown" camp. Great suggestions form all previous. Here are mine.
Parking: http://www.airnav.com/airport/3U2
I park on the far North end for quiet having seen the
alternative many times. The closer to the showers and South end, the higher the DB.
Food:Breakfast st Sulphur Creek or even McCall's (KMYL) pancake house isn't that far and incredible. While there you can buy groceries and beverages and carry back with more room in your airplane (minus gear). Saves weight and you get fresh stuff for grill cooking. I like Dixie Town for breakfast. Atlanta has a good breakfast as well. ll the campsites have outdoor grills.
Airports of note:My favorite campsite is U72. (Upper Loon Creek) where there is also good fishing upstream. I wouldn't go there with an "A" model though. I have visited Cold Meadows many times, as well as Moose Creek which are all good camping and neat, historic places.
Note: Check with local USFS for fire danger or fires and as always TFR's.
Some things to consider:
1.
Mountain flying experience. If none, I recommend you chat with LM at McCall Mountain Canyon Flying.
www.mountaincanyonflying.com tell them I sent you.
2.
PPPPP. (Prior Planning Prevents P... Poor Performance)Watch your weight in the mountains. Reduced loads and fuel make the RV a reasonable back country platform. If you think you can live without it for 3 days, you can. 3U2 is plenty long but lots of big rocks on both sides of the canyon. It is a one way in/out strip, land south, depart north. Most commercial operators fly the mountains early in the AM and late in the evening. Mid day is hot and bumpy and high density alt.
References:The Idaho Pilots ASSN is a great resource as well. As previously mentioned, GH's "Fly Idaho" is a classic. I am honored to own a signed original.
3.
Contingencies. Check weather often. Cell phone coverage below canyon rims is N/A. However, now you can use the WIFI (still can't believe that) at JC to get weather updates! FYI, you can get socked in pretty quick with fronts and "canyon locked".
Been there, done that, stayed there a week longer than planned. Carry a PLB if you don't already and some minimum survival gear on your person, not in the map case. Have a contingency plan for emergency landings.
4.
"Tiny" Tires/ wheel-pants: Stock Pressure Recovery RV wheel pants on 500X5 tires will get beat up on most of the strips besides J.C and Big Creek, as mentioned above. Trust me, I have tried all but 2 in the book in my RV4. Some have drainage furrows made of hard rubber (soldier bar) that will also strike your wheel pants. You can either remove them (I wouldn't, they protect HS from rocks) or modify them. I "raised my pants" and use 380X150X5 tires. *If you can fit a 2X4 behind your wheel pant on the ground, you won't tear them up. One technique is to service the tires to 35 PSI before you leave for max clearance. I also add "Slime" inside my tubes to avoid flats. I bring a 12V air pump, patch kit and tools with me as well.
V/R
Smokey
www.fly-4-life.com
My RV4 "The Bandit" at U72