Fly in and Camp

Rearsteer · #1 04-18-2009, 11:17 AM

What is a good place for flyin camping?

Lars · #2 04-18-2009, 10:51 PM

I can't offer many suggestions other than I mentioning that used to do the same in a (gasp!) Cessna 150.

I would love to read your stories about landing at the Chicken Strip, though. That's on my destination list when my -7 is flying. So far have only visited with ground-bound vehicles.

az_gila · #3 04-19-2009, 12:36 AM

Payson (KPAN) has free camping on the airport, and a resturant if you don't want to picnic/cook...

A little cooler than S AZ in summer, and snow in winter. About 60 mls NE of Phoenix.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KPAN/CAMPGROUND#c

born2fly · #4 08-26-2009, 07:27 PM

One of my favorite all-time bushy strips is the private airstrip at Panamint Springs Resort, about 40 miles west of Death Valley. Too hot to enjoy in the summer, but in the Fall, Winter, Spring, it's a joy.

I've got 6.00x5 tires and a large tailwheel on my 6, and I want to see where I can take it without beating it up too much.

I don't know if anyone will read this response on a 4-month-old thread, we'll see.

G.

rvator51 · #5 08-26-2009, 07:58 PM

Pilot Getaways did an article on it in their first issue. On my list to go there one of these cooler months.

born2fly · #6 08-26-2009, 08:08 PM

Yeah, I write for PG also, and when I saw that article (by Jim Clark), that was my first trip there. I've done a lot of bush-strip pieces for PG since then....

I've gotten to know the owner at Panamint, nice guy, and I would spend more time there except the summers are truly tough.

I'm looking for other spots in CA, not too far from the Bay area, maybe a 2-hour radius by RV6 (300nm).

I haven't really "stretched the legs" of the RV yet and am not sure of its off-road capabilities. For sure it's not as hardy or as short-strip-friendly as my old Cherokee 235. Gotta learn slowly.

G.

kevinh · #7 08-26-2009, 09:40 PM

For good web forums on this topic, I like the following site:

http://www.backcountrypilot.org

Garage Guy · #8 08-26-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by born2fly

I haven't really "stretched the legs" of the RV yet and am not sure of its off-road capabilities.... Gotta learn slowly.

How about the turf strip, aka runway 29, at Columbia CA (O22). Not exactly bush flying, but good practice. Campground right there, with running water and showers, $8 a night, so not exactly bush camping either, but closer than staying in a motel

.

--Paul

Mike S · #9 08-26-2009, 11:18 PM

Columbia is great.

Also, Grass Valley used to have a camping area, probably still do. Might check first though.

And Georgetown.

born2fly · #10 08-26-2009, 11:20 PM

Yeah, Columbia is quite tame. There are "nice" camping spots at Kernville, Trinity Center, and Oceano too.

But my dearest loves are 'way out in the weeds. I used to take my Cherokee into the likes of Soldier Bar, Wilson Bar, Upper Loon, Owyhee (Idaho), Mineral Canyon, Mexican Mountain (Utah), a little farm field in northern Ontario (Canada), and anywhere else I could set it down and not get arrested for trespassing. Alas, I fear that my zippy little RV6 is just not up to the rigors of a rough, soft, 1600' strip at 6000' in the bottom of a river canyon on an 85-degree day.

I would love to hear from any folks who have put RV's into the remote places. Even if limited to the longer, milder places, I would truly like to put some grass/gravel under my tires again.

G.