All Airstrip Reports
As part of our meeting with the Price BLM District, Roy and I visited the airstrips in their district on our way down to meet with them. I had been looking into Temple Mountain for a while and had two planes with bigger tires check it out in the spring. After a few passes to check the surface out, I decided to land. It was actually in pretty good shape. The brush here is by far smaller than what we cleared at Keg Knoll and pretty smooth, although a little soft...but no more than what would be expected. There are a few large ant hills, but they are avoidable. This strip offers great access to a couple of hikes and, a little farther down the road, Goblin Valley.
Our first camping trip to Keg Knoll to hike to the Colonnade Arch. The strip was in good shape, a few bumps in it and a little soft, but overall much better than before we cleared it. We are working with the BLM to get a windsock put up and future work parties will continue to improve the strip.
As part of our work party at Mexican Mountain, a group of us came over and cleared about 1000-1200’ of the runway. It is a little soft and there are a few bushes that need to be cleared in future work parties. A parking area was cleared too. Overall it’s much improved and useable. 2 miles off the east end of the strip are the Colonnade Arches, which are spectacular! Also a relatively easy hike too.
My first dirt strip. It was smoother than I expected, the surface is a little soft and rutted on the approach end of runway 11. The north south runway gets less use and has more low height vegetation growing on it, but looks very usable.
Runway width about 20ft (wheel area) with shrubs cleared a good 50+ ft. (wing area). Landed E to W (nicer approach). Departed W to E (lower trees/terrane). Cows seem to visit often...they leave their mark. Overall nice strip and great place to camp. Easier stream access just east of the east end of the runway. Bring bug spray and hiking boots. Had to pick up trash left behind (I always bring a large trash bag-some just have trouble packing their junk out). Beautiful scenery, enjoyed our visit.
