Summer is here! The mountains are calling, and we must go… fly them! I have a proposal for you. Let’s fly to Benchmark Airport (3U7), spend a couple of nights (different comfort levels identified), and enjoy some outdoor activities. Where is 3U7 you ask? Montana’s Lewis and Clark National Forest, 80 miles west of Great Falls. The Airport is circled with yellow highlighter in the two sectional images below. The Airport is owned and operated by the U.S. Forest Service and is only open in the summer. Runway 12/30 is a 6,000 x 100 ft paved runway that sits at 5,434 ft. It is important to take a look at the information in the Chart Supplement ahead of time to plan accordingly: 1) Mountains parallel east and west of the Airport, 2) the runway is subject to moderate to several crosswinds and turbulence, 3) Runway 30 is recommended for departures if conditions permit, 4) Runway 12 rises uphill 120 ft with rising terrain beyond, and 5) there are no services. Want to camp out and watch the night sky? There are two campgrounds on the west side of the Airport: 1) Benchmark Campground on the northwest end that is often used by campers and 2) Van Deriet Campground or “the Fly-in Campground,” as it is also known, on the southwest end, with an aircraft parking area. There’s also a good chance you can camp by your aircraft, if you prefer. Prefer to stay in a cabin? Benchmark Wilderness Guest Ranch is within walking distance of the Airport. But, if you’re looking for something more private, rustic and off the grid, USFS’s Kenck Cabin is about 2.5 miles north of the Airport and may be perfect for you. Source: U.S. Forest Service The outdoor activities are endless: Fishing, hiking, hunting, horse back riding, stargazing. You can find me hiking up to the Patrol Mountain Lookout in the adjacent Bob Marshall Wilderness by following Trail Number 213. It’s about 12 miles roundtrip with 2,845 ft of elevation gain from the Airport. It’s not an easy hike but the views and seeing the historic lookout is worth it! Source: All Trails. I also want to share some Montana travel tips to consider: Bring bear spray, suggest bringing a bottle of water with an integrated filter so you can refill at any stream of water, bring clothing for a mixture of weather conditions, and keep in mind all food must be out of sight in approved containers once onsite.
Have extra time to explore some more? Continue north towards Glacier National Park or other areas in Northwest Montana! Fly safe and fly often! (See if you can see the lookout from the air on your way in or out!)
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December 2023
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