Backcountry Pilot

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Hey everyone,

So, here is the next strip that I'm curious about. This strip is located on the west side of Promontory Point in Northern Utah. It sits east of Black Mountain and the Spiral Jetty. It's lat/long is 41*29'33.50 N 112*35'28.64" W. It runs north/south, is just over a half mile long, and, when I've flown over it, looks like it is in great condition. I thought that I had read something about this strip before, but I didn't see it in the Fly Utah book and can't seem to find any info on it. There is a hanger at the south end of the strip.

So, anyone know anything about this one?

Thanks,
Cory

[UtahMaule offline]

Fort Ranch.

Private and uncharted. Look closer and you'll see that it's just a garage on the south end, not a hangar. He keeps a Hummer and a few atv's in there. There is a larger concrete run up/helo pad on the south end too. He flew in from Idaho Falls in a PC-12 for a long time, but I heard he sold it and just has his jet and helicopter now.

This guy owns the place.

http://www.frankvandersloot.info/


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[Grassstrippilot offline]

Thanks UtahMaule. Have you landed there? Do you know if the owner is open to allowing access? I'd love to check it out.

[UtahMaule offline]

I have done business with them for several years and I am friends with the ranch manager. I have landed there countless times and it is quite boring. The owner is a strange guy. My guess is he does not want visitors, but you could try him. My communication is only with the manager.

No one out there most of the time.......


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[Grassstrippilot offline]

My interest is two fold (at least). First, I thought it might be a nice place to have available to give students the chance to land on something other than pavement (Promotory Point would be my first choice, but I've not been able to find out a contact for the strip). Second, I wouldn't mind doing some hiking out that way and this strip is closer than the others in the area.

Do you think the ranch manager could grant access? If so, would you mind pming me some contact info?

Thanks for the info.

[UtahMaule offline]

I know from experience that he wouldn't like any of that. Sorry. You can ask, but FV is a strange dude. They go to great lengths to keep out any public. Almost all private ground around there. The manager would only tell you to contact FV.

You might take your students to meet Ivo instead.

There are a million places to land out there, but I see your point for a nice place for students.

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[Grassstrippilot offline]

Thanks anyway. I need to get my hands on a map to see how much of that range is private and how much is public land. Something closer would be nicer. You don't by chance know the deal on Promontory do you? It's been asked on a couple of threads but no one seems to know.

I'm guessing you have been out to Spiral Jetty and Black Mountain as well. Got any intel on either of them?

Thanks,
GSP

[UtahMaule offline]

Shripmers seem to be the only use on the point. Maybe talk to someone who spots for them, the season is in full swing right now.

Spiral Jetty has some small chunks of public ground near there. The land owners are Rafter S Ranch, and they are pretty relaxed.

Same story at Black Mountain only the land owner on most of the surrounding ground is Promontory Ranch aka Deseret Land and Livestock, aka The Church.

Best hiking is at Black Mountain IMHO. The hill to the west has some ruins on the summit. Lots of Native American stuff out there if you look close.

Check out the old crawler and train rotting into the mud approx 5 miles North of Black Mountain.

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[Grassstrippilot offline]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I used to fly for one of the shrimping outfits. Never had a need to land out there though. Fun gig and good $ for a college student. Beat flipping burgers. That was 10+ years ago though. I've lost any contacts I once had as there have been a lot of changes with the companies working the lake, from what I understand anyway. I'll have to keep an ear out to hear if anyone at OGD is spotting for anyone.

Thanks again!

[Throttle Pusher offline]

Black mountain sounds like a interesting place. Would camping there be ok?

[robw56 offline]

Black mountain sounds like a interesting place. Would camping there be ok?

I'm just guessing here that you'd probably be fine. There was no one around for miles when I was there.

[UtahMaule offline]

As far as I know it would be fine. Think desert and desolate.

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[Throttle Pusher offline]

Thanks
Next time I head back down to Moab, I'll have to stop and check it out.