In May 2024, 30 volunteers completed another successful work party, maintaining five airstrips in Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge.
“This has been a long-standing Idaho Aviation Association work party, and they provide food and drinks for the volunteers,” explained Bill Ables, Oregon liaison for the Recreational Aviation Foundation. “Nineteen aircraft arrived at Dug Bar at eight a.m. with some 30 folks who’d come with a let’s get ‘er done attitude.”
After a safety briefing, pilots dispersed to their choice of airstrips. In addition to the maintenance conducted at Dug Bar, Salmon Bar, Pittsburg Landing, Big Bar, and Sluice Creek, each was maintained with weed eaters, rakes, weed sprayers, walk-behind weed eaters, tractor mowers, and riding lawn mowers, according to RAF officials.
Everyone met back at Dug Bar for lunch and friendly conversation.
“This was one of the most productive one-day work parties we’ve had,” Ables said. “Some of the folks came in a day early and camped out and were treated to a beautiful viewing of the northern lights.”
For more information: TheRAF.org
Could be…fall of 87 I broke my right wrist and Donna Winniford Shira and I came in for a week and visited with my Mom..Carmen Winniford Yokum and Violet. The forest service picked us up at Pittsburgh Landing and took us up to the museum…was that you?
My Grandfather W D Winniford created the hayfield at Sluice Creek that is now a landing strip…should have been between 1915 and 1920. Thankyou for keeping that part of Hells Canyon alive and cared for..I know his grandchildren and great grandchildren appreciate your fine work.
Morning Laurie,
Thanks so much for the info about Sluice Creek! I would love to talk to you about Sluice Creek some day, as it’s one of our favorite places in the Canyon, especially in the winter. And yes, we’ll keep the good work up and hope some day we’ll see it as an open airstrip to the public.
Were you one of the ladies that was in Canyon visiting Violet Wilson at Kirkwood (in the 1980’s I think) when she used to volunteer in there when a younger Oregon State Police F&W Officer (in a jet boat) stopped in to visit?
Cheers,
Bill Ables
RAF Oregon Liason
IAA District II Director
541-263-1327