The Hungry Horse    MSOMR2

This route begins at Kalispell's Glacier Park International.  The airports

on this route are not overly short, so if you have an itch to fly a multi engine,

it can certainly be done ( I flew the 1900D on a test run actually).  As is the case withmost USFS fields, don't expect any nav aids on site.  However there are nearby VOR's in Kalispell, Great Falls ,and Cut Bank that should prove useful in figuring out where exactly you are.  Otherwise this is a great route for practicingyour dead reckoning skills!  Have a great trip. Enjoy!! MTN391, Matt

Leg 1: Kalispell - S27 to Spotted Bear - 8U4, 45 miles

After departing to the north (preferably) look for a mountain pass to the east of the field.  There's a narrow body of water that's created the pass, known as Colombia Falls.  Once through the pass look to the right and you'll see Hungry Horse Reservoir.  Not sure why they didn't call it Thirsty Horse.  Follow the reservoir southeast until you get to the south

end of the reservoir.  Spotted Bear station lies just a few miles from the southern bank  Field elevation is 3670 feet.  Runway length is 3800 feet. 

Leg 2: Spotted Bear - 8U4 to Meadow Creek -0S1, 10 miles

Continue down the valley heading due south.  You can follow the creek running from the reservoir if you need to, if you do you'll find that it puts you on base with the runway at Meadow Creek.  This is a really short hop before crossing the mountains.  Field elevation is 3984 feet, runway length is 2800 feet.

Leg 3: Meadow Creek - 2IL9 to Condon - S04, 37 miles

Head due west, through the pass which lies almost on the crosswind from the runway at Meadow Creek. One way or another you'll need to climb over the mountains in order to get to the valley that Condon sits in the middle of.So long as you head west, you'll hit the large valley separating the two mountain ranges.  Once you get to the valley you should see Swan Laketo the north.  If you don't see it, no need to panic.  Condon sits on the highway splitting the valley in half.  Head south following this highway till

you see the airport.  It's the only airport in the valley except for Seeley Lake farther south.  The airport lies beneath a 9400 ft. mountain also if you are looking for landmarks.  Field elevation is 3686 feet, runway length is 2600 feet.

Leg 4: Condon - S04 to Benchmark - 3U7, 39 miles

This is a difficult segment to use dead reckoning.  you'll cross back over the eastern mountain range again, and the Hungry Horse valley too. After that few good landmarks remain to use.  Luckily, Benchmark sits directly beneath the 256 outbound radial of the Great Falls VOR.  The VOR frequency is 115.1.  Just follow the radial until you spot the airport, about 60 miles out from the station. Field elevation is 5434 feet, runway length is 6000 feet.

Leg 5: Benchmark - 3U7 to Schafer - 8U2, 55 miles

Head north up the valley. Where it splits, head right.  If you climb to @7000 you'll see you're heading somewhat to a small lake, or you'll find it off your right wing.  Either way, you'll see a small creek leading out from it heading north.  This is your main navigational aid.  Follow it up the valley. When it ends, maintain your heading north.  About 16 miles past where the first creek ended, you'll pick up a 2nd creek running east-west.  Join it heading west. The airport is just to the right of a joining of the creek with another creek. There's a good size hill on the left side of the runway, and a large mole hill on the east

end of the field.  This demands you land coming in from the west, and depart headed the opposite direction, unless you're flying an aircraft with really good

climb capability.  Runway length is 3200 feet, field elevation is 4855 feet.

Leg 6: Schafer - 8U2 to Kalispell - S27, 45 miles

Strike out west as mentioned before.  Climb over that good size hill in front of you, and continue west until you get back to the Hungry Horse Reservoir,about 20 miles from Schafer.  Once over the reservoir, follow the water north until you see the Colombia Falls pass to your left, just beyond the north bank.

Contact the tower, land, and call it a day! 

5/15/05