Going Down to Dixie   MSOMR3

This is about as backwater as it gets in the continental US.  This route will have you flying down the The Salmon and Middle Fork rivers in Idaho, and through some really great scenery.  Hope you enjoy it! MTN391, Matt

Leg 1: Missoula - KMSO to Elk City - S90

Begin as usual from Missoula.  Your first stop is Elk City, roughly 80 miles south-southwest ofKMSO.  You can follow the MSO VOR outbound on the 210 radial,  and should find yourself going right over the top of Elk City, again about 80 miles from KMSO.  Field elevation is4097 ASL.Runway length is 2600 feet.  Easy.

Leg 2: Elk City - S90 to Dixie - A05

From Elk City head straight south.  You're headed the right way if you see Orogrande airport off to your right.Dixie lies just 15 miles south, very close to a small river.  As a matter of fact, you can follow that river from Elk City, down to Dixie, if you like.    At one point it ends mysteriously, but picks up again right close by, so just keepa look out!  Don't be afraid to consult the all mighty Garmin if you need, no shame there. Field elevation is 5148 ASL, and the runway is a generous 4500 feet. 

Leg 3: Dixie - A05 to Wilson Bar - ID76

 This leg is almost so short you could just taxi over, but we like short hops right? Right. From DixieYou can follow the above mentioned river down south to where it feeds into the Salmon River, just10 miles from Dixie station.  Make sure you turn to the east following the Salmon.  You'll first seea small airport called Mackay Bar.  It's a private field owned by some really mean hillbillies who loveto make lost bush pilots "squeal like a pig boy!"  So don't land there.  Wilson station is the next one to the north, only maybe 2 milesaway.  Field elevation is 2250 ASL, with a scant 1500 feet of runway.  Now we're talkin.

Leg 4: Wilson Bar - ID76 to Krassel - 24K

 The best way to go here is to follow the Salmon south.  Krassel sits directly on top of it about 30 miles to the south.  This is a very scenic and enjoyable leg of the trip, so enjoy!  Krassel should be the first airportyou see after the Mackay place south of Wilson station.  Further south of Krassel is Warren, another private field owned by some folks who hate bush pilots about as much as they hate the Mackay's.  So be careful about where you put down! Field elevation: 3982, runway length: 1500 feet.

Leg 5: Krassel - 24K to Johnson Creek - 3U2

Just keep following the river, in this case to the east.  Johnson Creek sits right where the river begins to turn south again.It's another short hop, only about 10 miles.  They could probably just drive to Krassel for their mail, but they're afraid to drive by the Warren place.  Field elevation is 4933, runway length is a whopping 3400 feet.

Leg 6: Johnson Creek - 3U2 to Landmark - 0U0   

A 15 mile hop further south down the river.  Just follow the water south, and you'll see the field.  It'll be the first you see along the way.  If you did get lost though--tune in the Donnelly VOR (DNJ) on freq 116.2.  The airport sits on the 083 radial about 28 miles from the VOR.  Field elevation is 6662, runway length is 4000 feet.

Leg 7: Landmark - 0U0 to Lower Loon Creek - ID67

Time to put that shiny GPS to work.  This airport sits among a slew of small fields, making it hard to tell where the heck you are puttin the wheels down.  And as we have already learned, that can be a little 'hairy'.  From Landmark head east and climb high enough so that you can pick up the Salmon VOR (LKT 113.5).  Tune in the 230 radial.  Track that until you are about 30 miles from the station.  Loon Creek should be directly beneath you, right next to the Middle Fork River. Mahoney Creek station is nearby, but it's abandoned and hence why we aren't stopping there.  This is the shortest field

on the trip at 1100 feet, so enjoy and send some pictures!  Field elevation is 4200 feet.

Leg 8: Lower Loon Creek - ID67 to Lemhi County - KSMN

After leaving Loon Creek, continue to track east towards the Salmon VOR on the 230 radial.  Once over the station track the 035 radial, which will take you directly to Lemhi County airport.  The airport sits in a good sized valley, right on the state line.  Get

some gas, drop off the mail, pick up all the outgoing stuff, maybe have a burger--your trip is almost over!

Leg 9: Lemhi County - KSMN to Missoula - KMSO

Head north from Lemhi Co. tracking the Salmon VOR on the 342 radial.  Once the Salmon VOR begins to fade, start tracking the MSO VOR on the 163 radial.  You'll fly right by Trapper Creek, off there to your right.  Good job and good night!

5/15/05