BENCHMARK AIRFIELD (3U7) ADVENTURE

Backcountry airstrips serve as trailheads—jumping off points for backcountry adventures. Included in this post are photos of Joshua and Caleb Turner returning (with dad) to their airplane at Benchmark (3U7) airfield in Montana, in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Along with their father, Pennsylvania State Liaison Andy Turner, Josh and Caleb used the airstrip and associated campground to stage a four day, 44-mile hike into the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas. They climbed peaks along the continental divide, fished the streams, and saw country of spellbinding beauty. Josh and Caleb are already planning a “return to the Scapegoat” for summer 2020, and they can testify that backcountry airstrips like Benchmark provide access that makes wilderness travels like this possible. 

Submitted on January 15, 2020