The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Yesterday, I landed at the dry lake between the Knik Glacier and Lake George. This photo, courtesy of ElainaG, shows the landing zone on a clay dry lake between the iceberg studded lake and the Knik glacier on the top of the picture.



There was another plane and one of the passengers indicated he was from the McKinley Park area had a 180hp C-170. He was curious about my engine (O-300) and my ability to get off. The day was calm, about 60 degrees (one of the warmer days this summer and its late September...)

The strip is short, I estimate 600', but there are no obstacles on either departure or landing so its just fine provided you are careful. As it was my first time here, I was light as possible, no pax, minimum fuel, and had no problems at all. It should be long enough for me and a passenger without much problem.

Nice Pictures- I was the other 170 pilot there yesterday- glad to hear the day went well for you. I actually have an O-300A, not the 180HP conversion, but I do have an 8042 climb prop, so hearing of your success gives me more enthusiasm for heading back there in my '53 170B. We dragged Bold on the way home, but didn't land- the winds were just a bit dodgy, and favoring a downhill landing toward the water.

FWIW, we paced the entire useable landing there at Lake George, and came up with 340 paces, or about 1000'. Like you say, the approaches are great in both directions. Nice meeting you, and happy flying.

-Denalipilot

The Lake George area is a real popular diversion from flying in the Matanuska Valley from Anchorage. I was in there Saturday about 1:30 p.m. in my 182. Needless to say, I didn't try to land even though there are several areas just west of there in the valley that look solid and dry enough, as well as long enough for a 182 on 8.00's. Nevertheless, I would only go in with my 182 with someone that had prior experience in there such that I knew I wouldn't have a problem. I know the first time I saw the area, I longed for a cub on bushwheels.....lol.

I've been there in the winter:

Corey:

That is a great photo....

How in the world have we been so lucky that we can fly to places like this.

That photo should be in a calendar, Corey!

jrenwick wrote:That photo should be in a calendar, Corey!

Thanks guys, but my camera was on low resolution so the picture doesn't get much bigger without losing quality.

alaskan99669 wrote:

jrenwick wrote:That photo should be in a calendar, Corey!

Thanks guys, but my camera was on low resolution so the picture doesn't get much bigger without losing quality.

Aaarrgghh! That would have been a great calendar pic.

Here is another shot of the airstrip from the top of the glacial moraine above Lake George. Yes there are a lot of nice strips back here for those of fortunate enough to have airplanes. No 4 wheelers, boats, snowmachines, can EVER access the Lake George area. It's all ours!!

The other picture is of the 600' strip at the top of the Knik Gorge, right next to the river. This strip is all gravel with no mud like one above. You have to be on your toes a little more here because it is definetely shorter!!

Bruce