JANUARY FEATURED AIRSTRIP: MEXICAN MOUNTAIN, UTAH

Each month we highlight an airstrip with hopes that you will get out and enjoy these special places. This month, we’re featuring Mexican Mountain, Utah.

Viewing a full moon while camped in the pinyon-junipers alongside Utah’s San Rafael River at Mexican Mountain airstrip is an unforgettable experience. From its 4,460-ft elevation you can hike among multi-colored buttes, pinnacles, and alcoves. Mexican Mountain towers over the panoramic meandering canyon at 6,900 feet. 

The region is rich with visible history, going back to the geologic formation of the 70-mile-long San Rafael Swell, obvious from the air east-southeast of the airstrip. Just a five minute walk from the airstrip you can view petroglyphs thought to have been left by peoples of the Fremont, Paiute, and Ute cultures that lived in the region from 2,000 to 700 years ago. More recent history includes gun skirmishes between Butch Cassidy’s “Robbers Roost Gang” and a local sheriff, detailed on a placard. 

Before you plan that journey, here are some things you need to know. This BLM airstrip about 10 nm northeast of Green River, UT lies in a Wilderness Area, meaning that other than aircraft, the use of motorized or wheeled conveyances is not allowed on the airstrip or surrounding areas. Volunteers from the Utah Back Country Pilots have a longstanding relationship with the BLM and have worked hard to preserve this gem. Recently a group of UBCP volunteers hiked in with hand tools to reclaim the runway after significant flood damage.

The 1,836-ft runway can be unusable after rains, so check weather well ahead of any plans to land. There is a windsock and established tie-down areas.

Please practice Leave No Trace camping, use existing fire pits and tie-down area, and remove all trash. Check out WAG bags for sanitary waste removal. Simply exercising your best backcountry etiquette will result in a very rewarding Wilderness experience, and will ensure continued access to this special place.

For more information and safety considerations, see UBCP’s page on Mexican Mountain, and the RAF’s Airfield Guide, both very helpful resources.

Submitted December 19, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray
Photos by Wendy Lessig