Back-country grass strips in the west

[Craig Harlan]

[9089P]

[Craig Harlan]

[9089P]

[Craig Harlan]

[Don Ostergard]

I am sure the Idaho strips are lovely and definitely do hope to visit them some day. When you've tried them, why not fly up to Ram Falls, Alberta on the eastern slope of the Canadian Rockies? You'll fly over the 100-ft high Ram Falls on short final to Rwy 26. There's a campground just across the road from the airstrip. If you arrive at the right time of year, you'll land on 3300 feet of wildflowers. Ram Falls is a perfect example of how nice a place can be when it is served by a well maintained airstrip and bad roads! Call me for details.
Don Ostergard, Tribe Chief Western Canada

[9089P]

Hi Don,

The bride and I usually make one trip a year to BC, never tried Alberta. As far east we have been is Fairmont hot springs. What is the right time to go to go Ram Falls? What does one do there? Bike, hike?

Thanks in advance, Don

[Don Ostergard]

Ram Falls is located at N52.05 W115.51 which puts it about 40 NM SW of the pleasant town of Rocky Mountain House AB. It was built by Alberta Transportation to serve as a forest service strip. Alberta Forestry has gone to helicopters for most of their work and so the Ram Falls airstrip was delisted from the Canada Flight Supplement and therefore it is "X'ed" on the Calgary Sectional. But it continues to be maintained by volunteers of the Red Deer Flying Club. Strip is 3300 ft long, alt 5350.
Very popular with mountain bikers and horsey people, apparently excellent flyfishing. Very definitely a wilderness area, closest amenities are a 20 minute flight away in Rocky Mountain House. Anytime from May until the snow flies in Oct-Nov is fine for visiting. Try Google, also Canadian Owners and Pilots Association' "Places To Fly" section at www.copanational.org. I have more info and a pretty picture that I will send to anyone who contacts me at c-flhv@magtech.ca. Western Canada Tribe had a (poorly attended) fly-in picnic there in 2005. Maybe we should try it again.
Don Ostergard ICS 3263

[Eddie K. N7439P]

[JIMICS2452]

[Eddie K. N7439P]

[N8632Y]