Spotted Bear (8U4)

Since I started flying, I’ve made at least one trip a year to the picturesque state of Montana. This year, I decided it was time for a visit to a back country strip. Tucked into a valley, with easy approaches, and a go around possible, the strip still offered a challenge in the form of a dog leg. This would be the perfect spot to introduce my friend, Randy to airplane camping.

Spotted bear is a few miles east of Flat Head Lake, between the Swan and Flathead Mountain ranges. Hungry Horse Reservoir lies to the north, the Flathead River running out if it and curving past the strip. I used my favorite method of checking out new spots, by “flying” to 8U4 with Google earth. Fellow pilots – if you haven’t tried this, I encourage you to do so. While the trees are not 3D, mountains and hills are, allowing for a fairly accurate picture of what you’ll be flying into.

Landing to the North

Approach and landing required close attention, but were not terribly technical. We were the only people on the field, or in the campground. (Good tiedowns, bring your own rope) A dirt road that runs parallel to the field along the west had a surprising amount of traffic. We later learned from some forest service people who came out to do maintenance that in addition to a guest ranch, several outfitters have facilities in the valley.

We hiked off into the trees, seeking the river and found it. So many wonderful stones of green and pink with mica and stripes of white, I found it hard to choose just one to take as my usual souvenir.

The plan was to camp overnight and a darn good thing too. Clouds and rain moved in during the late afternoon and soon the downpour was so bad we huddled in the tent. Before nightfall the tent began to leak through the roof, and we hoped to stay dry enough to sleep. We did stay warm and mostly dry in our bags but awoke to a dripping cold morning. Light rain continued intermittently and clouds were nearly to the ground over the runway. A fire boosted our dampened spirits (Thank you to whomever left that pile of firewood!) as did cups of hot chocolate.Wet, Cold, Dreary

Mid-morning the sun began to peek out and lovely blue holes appeared, but I was uncertain of ceilings around the corner. Then I heard a plane! A Cessna 206 landed and this local pilot described a route out to the north that could be easily and safely flown. He even offered to lead the way if I would wait until he finished his business with the cowboy he’d flown in to see. Randy and I hurried to break camp and pack the plane, finishing just before Noon. The skies were looking very good by this time, so I made the decision to depart, first leaving a thank you note on the 206.

Camp before the rain!

For those who might want to drop in at Spotted Bear. In spite of the name, rangers assure me bears are not an issue, just use common sense. There is a vault toilet, good campsites with fire pits, no drinking water. Flight time to Kalispell (S27) is around ½ hour following the Hungry Horse Reservoir, less if you skip the scenery and go direct. But why would you?

Hungry Horse departing North