THE DIRT ON BIG CREEK
Idaho’s Big Creek state airport, U60 in the Payette National Forest attracts a large number of recreational pilots. Some camp in the adjacent campground, and some enjoy an overnight stay and breakfast at Idaho Aviation Foundation’s welcoming Big Creek Lodge.
The condition of the Big Creek runway and tie-down area needed improvements and Idaho’s Aeronautics Division was struggling to find the volume of dirt to make solid repairs, estimated at eighty dump truck loads. RAF Idaho Liaison Bruce “Sparky” Parker wanted to help and contacted Idaho Aeronautics’ Director Dan Conner, who was able to commit to the hauling, but locating that volume of material was the problem. Parker got to work looking for a source for the required dirt. “Trying to help, I searched for dirt for them for probably six months,” Parker said. He advertised in the McCall Star-News and the McCall airport manager called him and told Parker she had “all the dirt we could possibly want.”
Idaho Aeronautics will use equipment to carve off the high spots in the runway. Conner anticipates it will require 20 trucks of dirt at a time, with four different trips, to improve and level the tie-down area and runway.
Aeronautics hopes to keep the airport open throughout the project. Folks may have to park on the north end for a time, which would mean a bit of a walk to Big Creek Lodge, southwest of the runway. Conner is hoping for a September 8 project start.
Pilots planning a visit should check the Airfield Guide. Additionally, Idaho Aviation Association has webcams facing north/south accessible here.
Submitted August 29, 2025