MINERAL CANYON STRIP, UT

I crossed the rim of Green River Canyon, and saw a wide clear bench 50 ft above the river. This bench was a better bailout spot than the rocky mesa tops, so I dropped down below the rim and was immersed in a 3-dimensional world with towering cliffs on both sides. Although my GPS tracklogs show I flew for only 5 minutes along two bends in the river, it felt much longer. When I spotted the Mineral Canyon Airstrip ahead, a cloud of dust rose as an airplane landed. I thought it was Mike's S-18, but soon realized it was another airplane. I landed and taxied up next to it to say hello.

It was a nice couple with a Glastar (I have forgotten their names) and their well behaved Golden Retriever. The dog wore a harness and ear protectors and had a place in back where she was strapped in for the ride. Mineral Canyon was the highlight of our trip -- somehow we had saved the best for last. I suspect Mike had planned this all along. He has flown these airstrips for years and knows them well. We talked for a while, then headed out flying again.

Paul and I followed the Green River upstream for a spectacular 12 mile canyon run before breaking off for Canyonlands Airport. Canyonlands Airport is located between the Green and Colorado Rivers. We had flown the Green earlier, so I headed east to meet the Colorado. We cruised along a beautiful stretch of the Colorado for about 15 miles, gazing down into every bend of the river. Near a double bend in the river called "The Loop", the river turned to the east to merge with the Green River. We left the Colorado here to head straight for MV where we landed at sunset. My best flight ever!

Taking off to the North from Mineral Canyon, UT airstrip along the Green River in the Utah backcountry with my Super Stinson 108-2.

This is a beautiful airstrip on the Green River -soft sand on the far north and south ends, but overall in great condition year round. No facilities and a raft launch is about 1/2 mile to the south. Hazards including soft sand, occasional wet/muddy spots, density altitude, and canyon / mountain weather, windshear. Please proceed with caution and make sure the weather is on your side. Also, make sure your piloting skills are top notch, planes have crashed at airstrips such as this one.

Also, please support the Recreations Aviation Foundation ( RAF ) and the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association ( UBCP )

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Filmed with a Kodak Playsport

Canyon approach and landing on runway 34 at Hidden Splendor, UT airstrip in the Utah back country with a Super Stinson 108-2.

This is hard packed old rugged mining airstrip on the muddy river with access to great hiking. No facilities. Hazards include narrow canyon approach, box canyon, soft sand on edges of runway 16/34, drop off on edges and north and south end of runway, narrow runway, up to 1ft shrubs on edges of runway, density altitude, and canyon / mountain weather, windshear. Please proceed with caution and make sure the weather is on your side. Also, make sure your piloting skills are top notch.

Shot with Kodak Playsport zx3

Also, please support the Recreations Aviation Foundation ( RAF ) and the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association ( UBCP ).

Uncut is the playlist of beautiful flights without narration or other editing. Just throw it on the big screen as wallpaper and enjoy...

Gear:
Hammock: https://amzn.to/2ZzAQez
Flashlight: https://amzn.to/2NDZV5z
InReach: https://amzn.to/2ZyCP2w
Stove: https://amzn.to/2ZAV4EC
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2MKTjTr
Food: https://amzn.to/2NEqh7B
GoPro 7: https://amzn.to/34euiFN
Machete: https://amzn.to/2L78cNU
Water Filter: https://amzn.to/2NG0L1E

In November 2009, I flew to Monument Valley with my flying buddies Paul and Mike. We continued on for 3 days of flying and two nights of camping at Utah backcountry airstrips strips. The first was Nokai Dome, on a rise overlooking the San Juan River and Lake Powell.

Mineral Canyon

Taking off to the North from Mineral Canyon, UT airstrip along the Green River in the Utah back country with my Super Stinson 108-2.

This is a beautiful airstrip on the Green River -soft sand on the far north and south ends, but overall in great condition year round. No facilities and a raft launch is about 1/2 mile to the south. Hazards including soft sand, occasional wet/muddy spots, density altitude, and canyon / mountain weather, windshear. Please proceed with caution and make sure the weather is on your side. Also, make sure your piloting skills are top notch, planes have crashed at airstrips such as this one.

Also, please support the Recreations Aviation Foundation ( RAF ) and the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association ( UBCP )

Flying Utah in an American Champion Scout. May 16-17, 2020. Airstrips: Delores Point, Mineral Canyon, Horseshoe Canyon, U34, Mexican Mountain, Cedar Mountain, 69V.

www.utahbackcountrypilots.org

F1 Rocket Exploring Mineral Canyon Backcountry airstrip and Green River Canyon. Flying the Green River. Looking for Backcountry airplane camping strip. Scenic rock formations, southern Utah, searching for good backcountry airplane camping spot. Fun places to fly in Utah. Mineral Bottom.

Supercubbin' in the back country at Hidden Splendour