COOPERATION ON HELL’S CANYON AIRSTRIP MAINTENANCE

RAF Oregon Liaison Bill Ables reports that April 22 brought perfect weather and 16 aircraft from Washington, Idaho, and Oregon into Hells Canyon to help with an annual Canyon airstrips volunteer work party. 



Everyone arrived at Dug Bar, OR8. “We enjoyed the heat of a campfire for a short time while we introduced ourselves around the group of about thirty folks,” Ables said, adding, “It’s always enjoyable to meet folks who are volunteering for the first time at one of our work parties.”


Soon the group got busy loading lawn mowers, handheld and walk-behind weedeaters, paint, rakes, and shovels into the aircraft. Some volunteers stayed and worked at Dug Bar while others flew off to work on airstrip maintenance at Big Bar, 1DA; and Sluice Creek, O68. Runways were mowed, weeds were whacked in parking areas, runway marker rocks were painted, and new windsocks were installed. 


Around noon folks started returning to Dug Bar after completing tasks at the other airstrips. Mona Williams, retired Wallowa County District Attorney and Circuit Court Judge prepared a hearty lunch for everyone. Mona was born and raised in Wallowa County, but had never been to Dug Bar. “It was a classic win-win for Mona and the other volunteers. Great food for everyone and her first time flight into Hells Canyon,” Ables said. 


Reflecting on the day of collaboration with Idaho Aviation Association and Oregon Pilots Association, Ables said, “We appreciate all of the folks who came, many who have given endless hours of their time at many of these events in the past.” 


About Hells Canyon

What is Hells Canyon and the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC)?

Hells Canyon is North America’s deepest river gorge. There are six primitive airstrips in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area along the Snake River, preserved for public use: Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Ragtown Bar, Big Bar and Sluice Creek.


The HCRC is a 501(c)3 formed in 2016, composed of eight major groups: rafters, jet boaters, aviators, motorized recreationalists, commercial outfitters, backcountry horsemen, citizens-at-large, and local government and the U.S. Forest Service. Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher honored the Collaborative within the Congressional Record in 2022. In part he stated, “Our country is blessed with abundant natural resources . . .The governance of those resources is the responsibility of all of us – to make our outdoor spaces manageable and accessible for the enjoyment of all.” He included several mentions of aviation, and concluded the proclamation by saying, “I am proud to highlight the men and women who stepped up and made a difference for the benefit of all users in the Hells Canyon River area.”

The RAF is pleased that Congressman Fulcher recognized the efforts and results of the HCRC, and memorialized it in his official proclamation. 


Bill Ables, an RAF Oregon Liaison, serves as one of its co-chairs. Ables said, “The neat thing about this collaboration is that decisions are made by all kinds of user groups.” RAF Oregon Liaison Richard Mayes was an early proponent of the RAF’s involvement in HCRC, and was awarded an RAF grant toward its steering committee to clarify the RAF mission within HCRC goals.

Submitted on May 15, 2023.

Top photo courtesy of Amanda Rahn.

Posted in News

Recent Posts

RYAN FIELD, 2MT1, REMAINS CLOSED TEMPORARILY

May 28, 2026
Ryan Field, 2MT1, remains CLOSED temporarily. In October, the runway was closed to begin restoring bare areas with new soil and grass. After the Montana winter and spring seasons, the new grass is coming in nicely; however, the field will remain closed until the turf has had adequate time to fully establish. We will keep you updated, but as of June 1, 2026, Ryan Field remains CLOSED to operations. Submitted May 28, 2026

RAF GRANT FOR CAMPING AREA AT ACTON, ME

May 27, 2026
RAF Massachusetts/Rhode Island Liaison Andrew Lyons has been awarded an RAF grant for the addition of a rustic camper cabin at Nadeau’s Airfield in Acton, ME. The 2,400-ft turf field (02ME) is owned by longtime RAF volunteer John Nadeau, who now serves as one of the RAF's Recreational Use Statute Liaisons. Nadeau welcomes visitors to experience backcountry flying not far from the populated eastern seaboard, and envisions the airfield as a gathering spot for RAF enthusiasts in the region. Not far to the west are clusters of New Hampshire’s mountains, and coastal flying opportunities to the east. “The airfield is well located to serve as a hub for exploring much of what New England has to offer,” Lyons said. There is a small pond on the airfield for visitors to try a bit of fishing. The camping area plan includes the installation of a pre-cut kit cabin manufactured locally in New England, with the addition of sleeping platforms and an RAF fire ring. The cabin will serve as a comfortable shelter, and tools and other items will be stored in the unit as well. Pilots are welcome to camp underwing at 02ME. “We anticipate no shortage of volunteers for this project,” Lyons said. A team will pick the cabin kit up from the manufacturer in Vermont to save shipping costs. Lyons expects the cabin will be completed in early summer 2026. Currently, there is a port-a-john, and future plans include the addition of a plumbed restroom and shower at the field. Find more about Nadeau’s Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 27, 2026

SEASONAL WORK COMPLETED AT GILLETTE'S LAKEWOOD LODGE

May 26, 2026
The weekend of May 15-17 saw 39 people arrive at Gillette's Lakewood Lodge, 14WS in Wisconsin, to help clean up winter-damaged broken, downed, and dying trees and ready the property for the summer flying season. They also erected the 18-ft canvas tipi that is available in the summer months for guests to enjoy Owners Bob and Judy Gillette are passionate about aviation, after respective careers in the industry, and welcome visitors to their airfield with camping, canoeing, cycling, swimming, and fishing, all accessible from the 2,137-ft turf runway. Multiple volunteers returned who have been to every work party in the past. RAF Supporters Paul and Diane Iverson drove in from California to help out at the event. There were some new faces as well. First-time volunteer Clay Adams of Rosemount, Minnesota, flew in and camped. He’d cut trees professionally and was a huge help, according to the work party's organizer, Director Jeff Russell. “The volunteers all have the same work ethics as I do, just get it done and have fun while you are doing it,” Adams said, adding, “I joined the RAF last year and heard about Lakewood Lodge. It was a neat place and a lot of fun , and I look forward to helping out again.” Volunteers mostly drove in, with a half a dozen planes bringing more volunteers. Lunch and dinners were graciously provided by Judy  and Gillette's nephew, Max. Russell said, "We rented a wood chipper for two days, and it never stopped running. I'm amazed by how hard people work. I'm hugely grateful.” Find more about Lakewood Lodge in the Airfield Guide . Submitted May 26, 2026

PLANNING YOUR SUMMER'S FLYING ADVENTURES?

May 26, 2026
The RAF Airfield Guide should be your first stop. It’s a directory of destinations with recreational and backcountry opportunities. It’s free to use, and ad-free. If you haven’t yet signed up, that’s quick and easy, too! You’ll find information on runways and amenities, safety briefings, photos, and videos on over 400* public airstrips and private airfields. You can create your own multi-stop Route that includes all the Airfield information. Foreflight users can easily convert Airfield information into a Content Pack that is uploaded automatically into ForeFlight, all at the click of a button. We invite you to add your own comments about an airfield once you’ve visited it. So no matter when your flying season gets going, the RAF Airfield Guide is your first go-to source for information and safety briefings, and it’s available online year-round. To get logged into the Airfield Guide, visit this link , and bookmark it for the future! * More listings are added as they become available. Submitted May 26, 2026 Photo Credit: Laura Benton, Trigger Gap, AR By Carmine Mowbray

WORTH THE READ: STEVE JOHNSON GUEST EDITORIAL

May 19, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Steve Johnson, former RAF Director, Supercub.org founder, and Gold Seal CFI/MEI.