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Backcountry Pilot • La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Get together with other pilots or enthusiasts. Plan it or get info about it here.
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La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

For those who couldn’t make it last time due to the West Fork fire, we're having a "make-up" fly-in. Join us at the second La Garita Creek Ranch Fly-in, September 20th-22nd for great food, fall colors, & mountain flying fun. The Mineral County Airport in nearby Creede will also be hosting breakfast on Sunday AM. The weather this time of year will make for some good flying. Here are the details:

Food, food, & more food:
You won’t go hungry and there is no need to pack a lot of extra weight. For those who arrive on Friday (or before), the La Garita Trading post will be staying open late to provide dinner for the fly-in guests on Friday night. A courtesy van will available at the ranch for breakfast/lunch runs to the trading post throughout your stay. The main event will be a BBQ Dinner at the ranch on Saturday night that is being catered in ($20/ plate. Register on the FlyColorado.org fly-in page to reserve a plate for Sat night BBQ). The main lodge also has refrigerators that can be used for storing food and beverages. If that wasn’t enough, on Sunday morning (Sep 22nd), the Mineral County Airport in Creede will be hosting a fly-in breakfast starting ~8am. The Hooper Sand Dunes Pool Airstrip also has an excellent grille which is a short flight away.

Cabins and tent camping:
One of the nice things about La Garita Creek Ranch is that the location was formerly a guest ranch and therefore it has numerous cabins and amenities for campers. On-site cabins and tent sites will be available during the Fly-in. All cabins are fully equipped & furnished with beds, bathrooms, towels, heat, mini-fridge, and microwave. The beds have pillows and clean linen cover. Bring your own sleeping bag or blanket of choice. Depending upon what cabin your rented, some have fireplaces and wood stoves. This time of year can be brisk at night if tent camping, so if you get cold easy, consider renting one of the heated cabins. For cabin specifics/pictures, pricing, and reservations, go to FlyColorado.org.

Alternate airfield options:

The La Garita Creek Ranch is a true backcountry airstrip. Don't let the length fool you, at the mouth of the canyon winds can be challenging and downdrafts are present. Tailwind departures and landings are possible. Very High density altitudes can exist. Mountain and soft/short field skills are a must and this is not the place to learn. We still encourage pilots of all skill levels and aircraft types to attend by using the nearby public airports, and will be providing different shuttle options for getting to the ranch. The airports we’ll be providing shuttles to and from are the Del Norte and Leach Airports. This option can also be used for pilots who originally intended to land at La Garita, but wind or weather prevents it. E-mail us at [email protected] for advance coordination or use the following phone numbers upon landing: Tom Haefeli (phone 719-850-1411) will be transporting folks from Del Norte airport (8V1 - 8NM south of La Garita). The newly installed Del Norte AWOS is 118.27 / 719-657-9017. For transportation to and from Leach Airport (1V8 - 12NM east of La Garita) call Mike Spearman (phone 719-580-2486) for pickup.

To view more details on La Garita Creek Ranch including maps, videos, runway information, cabin rentals, and registration, please visit http://www.flycolorado.org. See you there!

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MTNWEST offline
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Add it as an event in Community > Events so it shows on the map and calendar.
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

I'll be there.
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

I'll be there. Made my online reservations at the lodge.
HC
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Zzz offline
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Ouch - I'm out - already have other plans that weekend... Next time.
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Fun! What a great line-up for a fun filled weekend!
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

The colors in the San Luis Valley area are getting ready to turn in the next few weeks. It should be prime viewing for the La Garita fly-in. About half the cabins are spoken for, so if you plan on staying the night on a bed in a cozy cabin, now's the time to get one reserved.

It sure has been hot around here lately, I'm looking forward to some cool mountain air!
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Week and a half till the La Garita Fly-in!! :D
A quick update for all those interested. As mentioned in another thread, Lionel is opening up the nearby Morning Shadows Ranch Airstrip for anyone wanting a fun sidetrip. The owners of Hooper Pool & Mile Deep Grill are also welcoming pilots in to their airstrip. There are only a couple cabin rooms left for those interested in heat and hot water ;) A van will be available for shuttle to and from the La Garita Trading Post Restaurant and breakfast at Creede on Sunday has been confirmed.

*Important* We need to get the final food count #s in by Monday September 16th, so please fill out the electronic registration form at FlyColorado.org

We look forward to making the opening of Colorado's newest backcountry airstrip a success.

A couple recent pictures from the ranch:
Image Image

Nearby Morning Shadows Airstrip & off grid ranch
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Im headed in. Might hop over to the western slope too that weekend.
lesuther offline
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

The runway is dry, the grass is green, the colors are changing and the temps are ideal. This is going to be a great fly-in!
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Dropped into La Garita and Mountain Shadows a couple of days ago. Both strips are in great shape. Green grass! The weekend forecast is looking awesome. Lionel Carpenter, owner Morning Shadows, is hoping for visitors Saturday. He celebrated his 89th B-Day Sept 4 with a new PA-11. Don't forget the San Luis Valley Pilots Assn breakfast fly in Sunday 22nd. Can't wait!!
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Here are some pictures from a few days ago at La Garita. Runway is in good shape for the fly-in:

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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Quick Update: Flynbeekeeper walked the runway this morning and reports its in good condition for the fly-in. :) So far we've had 30 planes sign up and 60+ people for the BBQ on Sat Nite. We have a couple extra plates available for any last minute drop-ins.

For questions about shuttle services (if you choose to land at a nearby airport) or cabins contact Mike Spearman (Ranch Manager) at 719-580-2486.
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

I'm signed up but am not going to be able to make it. Bummer.

You guys have fun and be safe!

Jim
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Had a great time last evening. The burgers at the La Garita store were awesome. Great service. More than 20 airplanes at the Ranch when we got back. Awesome WX today should bring more to visit. It is going to be a great day!
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Tom

Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

I was pickin up this morning and found a camera by the fire pit. Anyone lose one let me know and I will get it to ya.
Gary
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Gary, I left you a voicemail.

Great fly-in everyone. I believe we about around 32 planes and 70+ folks attend. A big thanks to everyone that was involved and helped out.

My family had a wonderful time and we experienced many joyful "firsts" with our son Luke. :)
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

Fantastic times were had by all. Thanks to everyone for a remarkable close to summer!
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Re: La Garita Creek Ranch & Creede, CO Fly-in - Sept 20-22nd

mountainmatt wrote:Gary, I left you a voicemail.

Great fly-in everyone. I believe we about around 32 planes and 70+ folks attend. A big thanks to everyone that was involved and helped out.

My family had a wonderful time and we experienced many joyful "firsts" with our son Luke. :)



Awesome! Glad you got to take them both with you!
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