Mineral Canyon

I crossed the rim of Green River Canyon, and saw a wide clear bench 50 ft above the river. This bench was a better bailout spot than the rocky mesa tops, so I dropped down below the rim and was immersed in a 3-dimensional world with towering cliffs on both sides. Although my GPS tracklogs show I flew for only 5 minutes along two bends in the river, it felt much longer. When I spotted the Mineral Canyon Airstrip ahead, a cloud of dust rose as an airplane landed. I thought it was Mike’s S-18, but soon realized it was another airplane. I landed and taxied up next to it to say hello.

It was a nice couple with a Glastar (I have forgotten their names) and their well behaved Golden Retriever. The dog wore a harness and ear protectors and had a place in back where she was strapped in for the ride. Mineral Canyon was the highlight of our trip — somehow we had saved the best for last. I suspect Mike had planned this all along. He has flown these airstrips for years and knows them well. We talked for a while, then headed out flying again.

Paul and I followed the Green River upstream for a spectacular 12 mile canyon run before breaking off for Canyonlands Airport. Canyonlands Airport is located between the Green and Colorado Rivers. We had flown the Green earlier, so I headed east to meet the Colorado. We cruised along a beautiful stretch of the Colorado for about 15 miles, gazing down into every bend of the river. Near a double bend in the river called “The Loop”, the river turned to the east to merge with the Green River. We left the Colorado here to head straight for MV where we landed at sunset. My best flight ever!