2010 Marble Backcountry Fly-in

Marble, Colorado

September 10-12, 2010

Glen and Diane Gallegos are again welcoming visitors to fly in to their beautiful mountain airstrip on the weekend of September 10-12. Colorado Pilots Association is pleased to be co-hosting the event this year with the Gallegos family.

Owner permission is required to land at this private airport. Glen and Diane Gallegos have the right to disapprove anyone onto their property. Requesting permission begins with filling out an online reservation form and mailing in a completed Liability Release agreement (see detailed instructions below). You will not need to submit another Liability Release form with the Gallegos if you have provided them with a release previously.

This airstrip is not for those inexperienced with mountain flying or landing at an airport located deep within a valley. Pilots need to operate in a safe manner, and within good mountain flying guidelines. As with many airstrips in the mountains, landing patterns will be irregular and flown close to terrain. Several pilots have related that tuning up with some landing practice before their Marble arrivals made for better approaches and landings in the canyon.

The airstrip is located near the top of the Crystal River Canyon immediately west of the town of Marble at an elevation of 7700 MSL. Approaching from all points north, you will generally enter the canyon south of Carbondale (right-west side of Mt. Sopris) and continue upstream past Redstone. Approaching from the west (or south), you should use McClure Pass and turn right-upstream immediately. Carbondale, Redstone, and McClure Pass all make good reporting points of your altitude and direction on 122.9. It is recommended that you stay on the right side of the canyon upstream and downstream. Just past McClure pass, about 4.5 miles from the airport, you should expect to be on the right side of the canyon at 9000 MSL and slowing to a reduced pattern speed to allow easier turns in the narrowing canyon.

Winds allowing, most landings are upstream-east at this 3800 foot long grass runway. Straight-in approaches from the west are strongly discouraged. The runway is not visible around a blind corner and there is often head-on traffic departing downstream. A recommended technique is to stay near the right valley wall and continue upstream past the airstrip. Announce your intentions on 122.9 and be especially watchful for traffic departing downstream-west which would oppose your final approach. Turn onto a left crosswind and then downwind near the north side (flying downstream-west). Start descending as the terrain allows. Base leg is flown across the valley until the runway is clearly in sight. Again, watch for oncoming traffic and activity on the runway as you get turned onto final.

Be prepared for some sink over the lake at the end of the runway and try to remember that the runway is still over 90 feet wide near the middle. If necessary, be prepared to go around as early as possible due to rising terrain upstream-east and the diminished climb performance you will have from high density altitude. Going around is usually accomplished by climbing over the trees and shifting to the right over the river. The valley widens significantly in less than a mile upstream and allows plenty of room for climbing and manuvering.

Landing to the west-downstream when the winds are westerly is more difficult even though a no-obstacle go around would be easier. Again, announce intentions on 122.9 from the approach position on the right-upstream side of the valley while you can see the entire runway. From there, begin a descending left downwind with a teardrop base to the final approach. Due to the hill near the approach end of the runway, there will be a squeeze between being too high on short final and clearing the trees on the hill. Be careful! Again, watch for traffic and activity on the runway. The start of the 3800 foot runway length is the white line (marble, of course) between the tall pine trees. You may have to remind yourself that the slot in the trees is wide enough to descend into.

Remember that only you, the pilot-in-command, have responsibility for your passengers and yourself to be adequately prepared for the unique conditions at Marble including the narrow canyon, terrain affecting approach and go-around, and density altitude. There has been a fatality at this airstrip and nobody wants you to repeat that mishap. Please be safe and prepared.

Aircraft generally depart west-downstream when the winds allow. Climb out on the right side of the valley and be watchful for opposite direction landing traffic. Tail winds out of the east of even 10 knots generate a large area of sink off the west end of the runway that has caused serious pucker for several pilots when they were unable to climb above 100 feet AGL for several miles downstream (one of them was a 300HP C-185 running perfectly). Takeoffs to the east may be more promising under these conditions (by climbing above tree height and offsetting to the right over the river) but it is suspected that downhill winds in the eastern valley might still present problems. If the winds are more than 8-10 knots out of the east, don't take off west. And, if you have any misgivings about your ability to climb in the eastern end of the canyon, stay on the ground until the winds are more favorable.

Location: Immediately west of the town of Marble, CO, paralleling the Crystal River Coordinates: N 39° 04.496' W 107° 12.825' Elevation: 7700 MSL Length: 3800 feet Surface: Grass/dirt Windsock: Western third, north side, on top of a large block of white marble Hazards: Narrow valley, hill and rising terrain east, tall trees both sides of runway Frequency: 122.9

Above photo, looking south, shows airstrip just past the northern ridge of the canyon, formed by 11,800 ft Elk Mountain. The 10,500 ft Ragged Mountains are seen in the background as the southern canyon ridge. Approach is from the right (west) edge of this photo and the large beaver pond is mid-field. Another pond is just beyond the west runway end at the right of this photo.

Aerial view of the airstrip (west at top) with 3800 x 90 foot runway, beaver pond, creek for fishing (worms or flies). Trees at bottom provide good shaded camping sites. The white Gallegos trailer can be seen next to small pond and across where in/out traffic will be parked at the west end, just above the large beaver pond as seen here.

• You may use the Gallegos' telephone to close flight plans.
• Bring and use your own tie-downs.
• You will need to provide for your own sleeping arrangements and eating needs.
• There is good camping at the field.
• Well water is available at the Gallegos' trailers but bring your own containers.
• Nearby fishing, hiking, and biking are great

The website of the Marble Tourism Association has pages full of activities in the Marble area. Whatever your interest, it appears there could be something for you. Here are some highlights: 

• We have arranged for a barbeque dinner Saturday evening on the field. The cost has not been finalized but should be in the range of $15 per person. Please indicate on your registration (below) how many dinners your party would like so that we can plan accordingly.

• Take a walking tour through Marble. A companion map is available at most tourist oriented businesses. The tour covers the mill site, the church, the old jail, the old bank, and the museum.
• Jeep tours are available from Crystal River 4X4 Tours, Marble, 970-963-1991 - make your own arrangements and ask them to pick you up at the airstrip. At last count there were over six tours and guided fishing trips.
• Horseback riding is available from Outwest Guides / 970-963-5525 / info@outwestguides.com Make your own arrangements, including any ground transportation needs.
• There are many activities (including shopping) available 10 miles downstream at Redstone, CO.

On-field camping is encouraged. However if you enjoy creature comforts, several wonderful hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants are close, but be sure you make ground travel arrangements along with your own reservations.

• The Inn At Raspberry Ridge -- 970-704-2278  / Gary & Patsy Wagner / mtmom@sopris.net
  • Easy 1 mile walk on paved road east from airport
  • Will provide airport transportation
  • 4 guest rooms available (all of the rooms are being held for us)
• Marble Hideaway -- 970-963-1502 / Charley and Carol Parker / stay@marblehideaway.com
  
  • Sleeps 5-8
  • Rate is $125 per night (2 people). Additional guests $20 per day per person.
• Beaver Lake Retreat -- 866-963-3608 / Vince Savage / beaver@rof.net
  • In Marble
  • 14 passenger van and will provide transportation
  • 10x10x5 hot tub
  • Meeting room and dining room
  • 6 rooms with 1 queen or 1 king bed per room
• Beaver Lake Lodge -- 970-963-2504 / karen@beaverlakelodge.com
  • In Marble
  • 4-5 rustic cabins (shower house is separate)
  • Additional 3 rooms with 2 beds to a room
  • Will provide ground transportation
• Crystal Dreams B & B and Spa -- 970-963-8240 / crystaldreams@sopris.net
  • Located in Redstone approximately 10 miles away
  • Can provide transportation
• For additional lodging in the Redstone area, see www.RedstoneColorado.com/lodging

A $15 fee will be charged per aircraft to defray facilities costs (e.g. portable toilets). You may use PayPal to pay the fee online or you may still send a check.

The owner requires that you fill out an online reservation form (below) and mail in a completed Liability Release. Click to print a copy. A new release form is required if you did not submit one last year or since then. Please mail your Liability Release and check for $15 (made payable to CPA) to:

Bill Meine, Attn: Marble Fly-in, 5052 W. Oxford Avenue, Denver, CO, 80236-3211

For new registration: simply fill in the form below, then click the "Send Registration" button at the bottom. Your registration information will then be added to the list of attendees.

To change or delete your registration: scroll down to the line where your original registration is listed. Click on the found next to your name. When asked enter the registration password you created when you first registered.

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When you have successfully accessed your original registration, the fields will be pre-filled with the old values. You will then see two buttons: "Update Registration" and "Delete Registration". If you are just making changes, make them then click the first button. Just click the latter button if appropriate.