SULPHUR CREEK RANCH, ID

http://www.sulphurcreekranch.com

Sulphur Creek Ranch (ID74) is a private strip and ranch located on the southwestern corner of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness.  Although the ranch is privately owned, pilots and visitors are welcome.  The ranch is typically open early June through October.  There are no landing fees.

The ranch has 10 cabins for guests, but also accommodates drop-in meals by pilots.  Breakfast is the big draw from the nearby airports and backcountry pilots, especially on weekends.  Fishing is available in the nearby Sulphur Creek or Middle Fork of the Salmon River, or if you don't like to walk - a large pond near the runway is stocked with trout - specifically for the use of overnight guests.  Deer and elk wander around the pasture near the pond in early evening and mornings, as well as an occasional moose.  Don Brown is the caretaker and has welcomed pilots and hunters for many years.  If there is anything you want to know about the history of the ranch or the Wilderness - Don will know the answers to your questions.

One caution on the runway - it is long enough for most aircraft at 3100' but it is relatively narrow (I would estimate 30' max).  Be sure you're capable of landing on a narrow runway.  Also, the runway has a couple fairly large rises (bumps) in it, which can launch you early in your takeoff run - maybe before you're ready.  Sulphur Creek has had its share of airplane accidents, which some pilots have attributed to "bad air on final".  The "bad air" is most likely an increase in humidity and cooler air from the wetlands at the east end of the airstrip causing a downdraft.  It's not unusual to encounter a slower than usual climb rate due to high density altitude (elev. 5860), and the sinking air over the wetlands.  Be sure you have a safety margin of airspeed on liftoff as you climb out.  The airstrip slopes downhill to the east, so almost all departures require a departure on Rwy 08, and if required you could fly down the Middle Fork of the Salmon (all the way to the Pacific if necessary), to gain altitude.  If the winds are not in your favor, and you're heavy or underpowered (or both), you may want to wait until they are.

You can view the webcam at http://idahoaviationfoundation.org/airstrips.php?webcam=12