SoCal Backcountry Airstrips Guide SoCal Backcountry Airstrips Guide

Spring 2017 v1.1 This guide booklet is being offered for the Kern Valley Airport
Backcountry Fly-In 2017 event. We make no representation or
authority WHATSOEVER as to the quality, safety, permission, or
legality of using any of these airstrips listed in this publication.
If you do not have permission to land at an airstrip that is not for
public use, then DO NOT LAND there unless accompanied by
someone who does. Otherwise you are trespassing.
This guide is published strictly as reading material for personal
enjoyment, not to be used as aviation reference data. For official
aviation and airfield data, consult the FAA Airport Facilities Direc-
tory.

Suggestions for edits? Please visit: www.kernvalleyairport.com/

socal-backcountry-airstrips-guide-contact-form.html
Airstrips Overview

NOTES: Privately owned ghost town with care- BALLARAT GHOST TOWN
taker who tells stories and sells you soda. Land
on road, taxi into town. Main SW-NE road is the
usual landing area; always give way to ground LAT/LONG: 36.046/-117.226
traffic.
BACKCOUNTRY
FUN THINGS TO DO: See the remaining ghost DIFFICULTY:
town buildings, graveyard, jail. Barker Ranch
DIMENSIONS: See diagram
(Charles Manson) is nearby and worth flying
over. ELEVATION: 1060 MSL
STATUS: Relaxed attitude about airplanes from
locals. Use discretion if busy. PATTERN ALTITUDE: None

CONTACT: None
FREQ: None
WEBSITE: None
RUNWAY: See diagram
MAPS LINK:
WIND INDICATOR: Flag by the main build-
ing.
 CHICKEN STRIP

NOTES: Private ranch strip, gorgeous approach. CARVERS CUT NOTES: Land uphill, takeoff downhill. CHICKEN STRIP
Watch for China Lake jet traffic screaming up the 4mi northeast of the town of Johnsondale, CA Saline Valley in Death Valley National Park,
FUN THINGS TO DO: Hot springs are very popu- CA
canyon, might even be below ya! Wind predomi-
LAT/LONG: 36.006/-118.490 lar with pilots and naked hippies.
nately comes up the valley from the lake. Land
downhill, takeoff downhill. LAT/LONG: 36.806/-117.781
BACKCOUNTRY STATUS: Open to public by National Park Ser-
DIFFICULTY: vice. Maintained by RAF and caretaker. BACKCOUNTRY
FUN THINGS TO DO: Cabin to stay in, firepits,
DIFFICULTY:
tent camping platforms. Natural rock waterslides CONTACT: Rick Lach 661-345-7755 for strip
DIMENSIONS: 1400 x 50
a short 5 minute hike from cabin/parking area. status update. DIMENSIONS: 1500x50
Hike to famous Seven Teacups waterfalls from ELEVATION: 4500 MSL
there. WEBSITE:
ELEVATION: 1345 MSL
STATUS: PRIVATE, prior permission required. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 5500 MSL. FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/Chicken-
Strip-165327670225574/ PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL.
CONTACT: Anthony 919-457-2855
FREQ: 122.8 MAPS LINK: Google
WEBSITE: None FREQ: 122.8
RUNWAY S: Surface: dirt. Gradient: 4%
FACEBOOK: (private group) downhill. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob- RUNWAY ??: Surface: gravel. Gradient: ??.
www.facebook.com/groups/CarversCut/ structions: mountains surrounding area. Standard traffic pattern: ??. Obstruc-
tions: ??.
MAPS LINK: Google RUNWAY N: Surface: dirt. Gradient: 4%
uphill. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob- RUNWAY ??: Surface: gravel. Gradient: ??.
structions: mountains surround area. Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstruc-
tions: ??.
WIND INDICATOR: southwest end of strip
WIND INDICATOR: ??
NOTES: Smooth and as hard as concrete CINDER CONE NOTES: Recommend departing downhill to DARWIN
(unless wet). Watch out for occasional ruts from south. Power lines at north end. Challenging on Southwest of Panamint Springs
cars driving on lake when its wet. Do not land day with north winds.
when wet! Stay west of power lines to avoid R- LAT/LONG: 35.982/-117.899 LAT/LONG: 36.263/-117.598
FUN THINGS TO DO: Walk the town of Darwin.
2505
BACKCOUNTRY Be courteous of locals; town is still very much BACKCOUNTRY
FUN THINGS TO DO: Easy hike down to Fossil DIFFICULTY: lived in. DIFFICULTY:
Falls rock formations.
DIMENSIONS: 2100 x 50 STATUS: BLM land, no prior permission re- DIMENSIONS: 2200 x 60
STATUS: BLM land, no prior permission re- quired.
quired. ELEVATION: 3320 MSL ELEVATION: 4721 MSL
CONTACT:
CONTACT: None. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 3900 MSL. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 5300 MSL.
WEBSITE: www.darwindoc.com/
WEBSITE: None.
FREQ: None MAPS LINK: Google FREQ: None.
MAPS LINK: Google
RUNWAY N: Surface: hard pan. Gradient: RUNWAY N: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient:
None. Standard traffic pattern: R. Obstruc- Uphill. Standard traffic pattern: R. Obstruc-
tions: None. tions: None.

RUNWAY S: Surface: hard pan. Gradient: RUNWAY S: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient:
None. Standard traffic pattern: L. Obstruc- Downhill. Standard traffic pattern: L. Ob-
tions: None. structions: Power lines on final.

WIND INDICATOR: about midfield WIND INDICATOR: None.

 HOLLAND CAMP

NOTES: Airstrip sits in a bowl with a box canyon GOLER HEIGHTS NOTES: Just up the hill from Goler Heights air- HOLLAND CAMP
to the east. Recommend landing and taking off to strip. About 1100 usable, last 300 still has
the west, winds permitting. Runway surface is shrubs.
lakebed, do not land if wet. Watch for OHV activ- LAT/LONG: 35.427/-117.732 LAT/LONG: 35.460/-117.794
FUN THINGS TO DO: Mine ruins to hike around.
ity; OHVrs, campers, and prospectors hang out
BACKCOUNTRY Horizontal and vertical shafts. BACKCOUNTRY
here; especially on weekends. Sinkholes at mid- DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULTY:
field; only western portion of runway usable. STATUS: BLM owned. No permission required.
DIMENSIONS: 1800 x 50 DIMENSIONS: 1100 x 50
FUN THINGS TO DO: Interesting old cabin at CONTACT:
west end of lake. ELEVATION: 2470 MSL ELEVATION: 3300 MSL
WEBSITE:
STATUS: BLM owned, RAF maintained. No per-
mission required. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 3300 MSL. MAPS LINK: Google PATTERN ALTITUDE: Pilots Discretion

CONTACT:
FREQ: 122.75 FREQ: 122.75
WEBSITE:
RUNWAY W: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient: RUNWAY S: Surface: rough/soft dirt. Gradi-
MAPS LINK: Google none. Standard traffic pattern: L. Obstruc- ent: Undulating. Standard traffic pattern: L.
tions: Shrubs and BLM signs at beginning of Obstructions: Sloping terrain leading to
usable runway. touchdown point.

RUNWAY E: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient: RUNWAY N: Surface: rough/soft dirt. Gradi-
None. Standard traffic pattern: R. Obstruc- ent: Undulating. Standard traffic pattern: R.
tions: Sloping terrain leading to touchdown Obstructions: None.
point. Go-around options poor.
WIND INDICATOR: None
WIND INDICATOR: None

NOTES: Primarily used as a gliderport. Only
inner portion of Rwy 16-34 usable. Left pattern all
runways. VFR charts show the runways paved
but they are indeed dirt.
FUN THINGS TO DO:
STATUS: PRIVATE, prior permission required.
CONTACT: Phillipe Athuil 310-963-2589
WEBSITE:
MAPS LINK: Google
KELSO VALLEY AIRPORT (CN37)
LAT/LONG: 35.384/-118.219
BACKCOUNTRY
DIFFICULTY:
DIMENSIONS: 2000 x 50
ELEVATION: 4074 MSL
PATTERN ALTITUDE: 4800 MSL.
FREQ: 122.9
RUNWAY 16: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient:
None. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob-
structions: None.
RUNWAY 34: Surface: soft dirt. Gradient:
None. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob-
structions: None.
WIND INDICATOR: Wind Tetrahedron at mid
field (unreliable)
KERN VALLEY AIRPORT (L05)
Fun left pattern to Rwy 17
through the mini-canyon
NOTES: Wind predominately favors Runway 17, KERN VALLEY AIRPORT (L05)
typical pattern is right hand. For fun, try the mini- 3mi SSE of Kernville, California
canyon approach from the left (inset). If you do
this, avoid flying over the trailer park and make LAT/LONG: 35.729/ -118.419
several announcements of your non-standard
BACKCOUNTRY
approach. Aircraft on the ground will not hear DIFFICULTY:
your announcements when you do not have line
of sight. DIMENSIONS: 3500 x 50
FUN THINGS TO DO: Airplane camp at adjacent ELEVATION: 2614 MSL
airport campground ($15/plane/night), 5 min walk
to Kern River for fishing and swimming, airport
PATTERN ALTITUDE: 3500 MSL.
caf (open 7-3 everyday) has fantastic omelets
and burgers, crew car available with pre-request
FREQ: 122.8
to airport manager, river rafting companies will
pick you up from airport (Sierra South 760-376-
RUNWAY 17: Surface: asphalt. Gradient:
3746), just minutes to amazing hiking/mountain 0.2% downhill. Standard traffic pattern:
biking/hot springs/rock climbing/fishing/rafting/ right. Obstructions: 10 ft. trees, 375 ft. from
kayaking, home of Annual Kern Valley Airport runway, 100 ft. right of centerline, 17:1 slope
Backcountry Fly-In every year in May. to clear.
STATUS: PUBLIC RUNWAY 35: Surface: asphalt. Gradient:
0.2% uphill. Standard traffic pattern: left.
CONTACT: Airport: 760-376-2852 Manager: Rick Obstructions: None, low approach over
Lach 661-345-7755 lake.
WEBSITE: 1) www.kernvalleyairport.com 2)
WIND INDICATOR: north, middle, south end
www.airnav.com/airport/L05 of runway
MAPS LINK: Google
 PORTER RANCH (68CN) MONANCHE MEADOWS

NOTES: Closed. AF/D phone # doesnt work. PORTER RANCH (68CN) NOTES: Never officially closed. This is a high MONANCHE MEADOWS
10mi NW of Kennedy Meadows, California altitude strip, check density altitude, No go-
FUN THINGS TO DO: Kennedy Meadows gen-
around, talk to Nick Silicz for contact and permis-
eral store. LAT/LONG: 36.023/ -118.096 LAT/LONG: 36.225/-118.171
sion to land.
STATUS: PRIVATE, closed BACKCOUNTRY BACKCOUNTRY
FUN THINGS TO DO:
CONTACT: Kennedy Meadows General Store: DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULTY:
STATUS: Unknown
559-850-5647 DIMENSIONS: 3500 x 50 DIMENSIONS: 1300 x 50
CONTACT: Rick Lach 661-345-7755 or Nick
A/FD: M.E. Fox, 616 Allen Street, Ridgecrest,
ELEVATION: 6800 MSL Silicz 661-747-2889 for status update. ELEVATION: 7900 MSL
CA, 93555, Phone: 619-375-8267
WEBSITE:
WEBSITE: www.airnav.com/airport/68CN PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL. PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL.
MAPS LINK: Google
MAPS LINK: Google
FREQ: ?? FREQ: 122.8

RUNWAY 9: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??. RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstructions: Standard traffic pattern: ??. Obstruc-
left tions: ??.

RUNWAY 27: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??. RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstructions: Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstruc-
mountain, 1320 from runway, 500 tions: ??.

WIND INDICATOR: ?? WIND INDICATOR: ??

 PANAMINT SPRINGS RESORT
NOTES: Land uphill to the west. Take off to the PANAMINT SPRINGS
east. One way strip with no go-around, decide north of R-2505
early. Nosedraggers advised to park at top of
LAT/LONG: 36.338/-117.468
strip to avoid uphill taxi for takeoff. For everyone
else, theres a nice parking area at east end on
BACKCOUNTRY
north side of strip. DIFFICULTY:
FUN THINGS TO DO: Restaurant and motel.
DIMENSIONS: 1800 x 50 WEBSITE:
Pizza is amazing.
STATUS: PRIVATE, prior permission required. ELEVATION: 1900 MSL
CONTACT: 775-482-7680 PATTERN ALTITUDE: 2900 MSL.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
PanamintSprings/ (They respond to Facebook FREQ: 122.9
messages quickly)
RUNWAY WEST: Surface: gravel. Gradi-
WEBSITE: www.panamintsprings.com ent: +100 Elev. Change. Standard traffic
pattern: Pilots Discretion. Obstructions:
MAPS LINK: Google Hwy adjacent threshold. Buildings and equip-
ment adjacent runway surface. No Takeoffs.
RUNWAY EAST: Surface: gravel. Gradi-
ent: -100 Elev. Change. Standard traffic
pattern: N/A. Obstructions: Turnaround is
tight. Takeoffs Only, No Landings.
WIND INDICATOR: Flag by restaurant.
RICKS STRIP
NOTES: Landing is uphill and on a slight slant. RICKS STRIP
Weldon, CA
FUN THINGS TO DO: Stay at Ricks guest
house, help feed the animals. LAT/LONG: 35.626/-118.266
STATUS: PRIVATE, prior permission required.
BACKCOUNTRY
DIFFICULTY:
CONTACT: Rick Lach 661-345-7755
DIMENSIONS: 1300 x 30
MAPS LINK: Google ELEVATION: 2975 MSL
PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL.
FREQ: 122.8
RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: ??. Obstruc-
tions: ??.
RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstruc-
tions: ??.
WIND INDICATOR: lower end of field, tat-
tered
 SACATAR MEADOWS (91CL) SILICZ BOYZ

NOTES: The people at Grump Bears Retreat SACATAR MEADOWS (91CL) NOTES: Private ranch strip. SILICZ BOYZ
says this strip was closed a while ago. Still on 3mi SE of Kennedy Meadows Waggy Flats Meadows
FUN THINGS TO DO:
the charts. A/FD contact #s dont work.
LAT/LONG: 35.989/-118.080 STATUS: PRIVATE, prior permission required. LAT/LONG: 35.664/-118.547
FUN THINGS TO DO: Grumpy Bear retreat.
BACKCOUNTRY CONTACT: Nick Silicz 661-747-2889 BACKCOUNTRY
STATUS: PRIVATE, closed. DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULTY:
WEBSITE: None
CONTACT: Grumpy Bears Retreat 559-850-2327 DIMENSIONS: 3300x50 DIMENSIONS: 1700 x 50
MAPS LINK: Google
A/FD contact: KIT ALEXANDER
P.O. BOX 1516 ELEVATION: 6427 MSL ELEVATION: 4563 MSL
WELDON, CA 93283
Phone 805-871-0482 PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL. PATTERN ALTITUDE: ?? MSL.

WEBSITE: www.airnav.com/airport/91CL FREQ: 122.8 FREQ: 122.8

MAPS LINK: Google
RUNWAY 11: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??. RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: right. Obstruc- Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstructions:
tions: hills/fence. tall trees on approach end.

RUNWAY 29: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??. RUNWAY ??: Surface: dirt. Gradient: ??.
Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstructions: Standard traffic pattern: left. Obstruc-
hills. tions: ??.

WIND INDICATOR: ?? WIND INDICATOR: ??

 TRONA PINNACLES COMING SOON

Anza Pot #1 Hoffman Pixley Canyon

Anza Pot #2 Lake Arrowhead Ramona #2

Anza Institution Lake Riverside Estates Templeton Meadows

Big Rock Lake Wohlford Tenaja Ranch

Billy Joe Landers Tunnel Meadows

Corona #2 Loma Madera Vail Lake

Ernst Field McConville Warner Springs Glider Port

Flying T Middle Aguanga Many more

Garner Ranch Pines Airpark

SUGGESTIONS??

NOTES: Not a real airstrip, true off-airport land- TRONA PINNACLES NOTES: COMING SOON
ing. Land along raised bluff. Smooth but made of
FUN THINGS TO DO:
many small rock, i.e. desert pavement. Try not
to cross two-track road at high speeds, its rough- LAT/LONG: 35.624/-117.376 STATUS: LAT/LONG:
er than airstrip.
BACKCOUNTRY CONTACT: BACKCOUNTRY
FUN THINGS TO DO: DIFFICULTY: DIFFICULTY:
WEBSITE:
STATUS: BLM owned land. Dont land if too DIMENSIONS: 1800 x 50 DIMENSIONS:
many people around. MAPS LINK: Google
ELEVATION: 1780 MSL ELEVATION:
CONTACT:

WEBSITE: PATTERN ALTITUDE: Pilot Discretion PATTERN ALTITUDE:

MAPS LINK: Google FREQ: 122.75 FREQ:

RUNWAY W: Surface: gravel. Gradient: RUNWAY ??: Surface: ??. Gradient: ??.
None. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob- Standard traffic pattern: ??. Obstruc-
structions: Numerous. tions: ??.

RUNWAY E: Surface: gravel. Gradient: RUNWAY E: Surface: ??. Gradient: ??.

None. Standard traffic pattern: left. Ob- Standard traffic pattern: ??. Obstruc-
structions: None. tions: ??.

WIND INDICATOR: None WIND INDICATOR: ??