ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AT MONTANA’S MEADOW CREEK

Each year, the Montana Pilots Association coordinates a work party with the US Forest Service at Meadow Creek airstrip, 0S1 above the South Fork of the Flathead River along the Bob Marshall Wilderness. MPA volunteers, MT Aeronautics staff, the occasional state aircraft and RAF volunteers mow the airstrip, tie-down and camping area, clean the R.T. Adkins Memorial outhouse, trim around cones, and cut dead timber that remains after the 2015 forest fire swept through.

This year’s rains and low ceiling prevented flying in on Saturday morning, but six people had flown in early to help, and one determined volunteer, Trevert Adkins – son of the late R.T. Adkins, noted backcountry aviation supporter – hiked in.

“The entire airstrip and parking areas were mowed, gopher holes were filled, both windsocks were replaced and the sign-in box was repainted,” reported RAF Montana Liaison Scott Newpower. The crew also cut and stacked firewood. Newpower and RAF Montana Ambassador Heather Hair had flown in parts for a new picnic table earlier in the week and it was assembled during the work party.

Lunch is always provided, and this year, Heather turned out perfectly done steaks for everyone, kindly brought by Newpower.

For more information on Meadow Creek, see the Airfield Guide.

Submitted on June 29, 2023.

Posted in News

ROB KEANE

February 24, 2026

FLORIDA AMBASADOR

HOWIE BOHL

February 24, 2026

CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR

RAF AWARDS GRANT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF HCRC

February 24, 2026

Oregon RAF Liaison Bill Ables has been awarded a $5,000 RAF grant to retain RAF membership in and support the Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative (HCRC) for the next five years. The HCRC was organized in 2016 at the request of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation as a framework for the various recreational user groups to collaborate with the US Forest Service within the 652,488-acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Ables, a past Director and current member of the group, explained that HCRC membership is a cross-section of user groups from both the private and commercial sectors, including river rafters and jet boaters, backpackers, horse packers, aviators, and governmental management agencies. Providing ongoing support ensures continued aviation representation. The rugged Snake River canyon region hugs the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, and includes nine backcountry airstrips within the Recreational Area. All are maintained by volunteer aviation groups in collaboration with the USFS: Cache Creek, Salmon Bar, Dug Bar, Temperance Creek, Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Lord Flat, Memaloose, and Big Bar. “Our support of HCRC, combined with the other involved aviation groups, ensures ongoing maintenance and improvements at each of these nine airstrips. It benefits general aviation by preserving access to enjoy the beauty of the Hells Canyon area, which directly speaks to the Mission of the RAF,” Ables said. For more information on Dug Bar, Cache Creek, Big Bar, and Memaloose, see the Airfield Guide . Pittsburg Landing, Sluice Creek, Temperance Creek, and Salmon Bar are not listed in the Airfield Guide at this time. Submitted February 24, 2026