RAF RECEIVES BLM APPROVAL TO REHABILITATE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AIRSTRIP

California State Liaison Doug Lumgair shared some good news for California’s backcountry flying community: the RAF has received approval from the BLM Ukiah Field Office to restore the Walker Ridge Airstrip, located within the Snow Mountain National Monument.

Lumgair has been leading the effort, working closely with the BLM to develop and submit a detailed restoration plan. “This abandoned airstrip is about 60 miles West of Sacramento and 100 miles north of San Francisco, making it an accessible destination for many recreational pilots,” Lumgair explained.

The airstrip is approximately 1,800 feet long and 70 feet wide, sitting at an elevation of 2,200 feet. Once cleared, it will provide safe and environmentally responsible access to a secluded area known for its scenic ridges and recreational opportunities, including camping and mountain biking. Restoration work will be limited to the previously disturbed three-acre footprint.

Lumgair is organizing a drive-in volunteer work party for November 8, followed by a fly-in work weekend planned for the first or second weekend in December.

For more information or to join the effort, contact Doug Lumgair at dlumgair@theraf.org.

Submitted October 15, 2025

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