Wednesday 1st July, 2009

After departing McKenzie Bridge we climbed out down the valley heading west, this was neccessary as we needed to gain enough height to clear the higher terrain to the east and south. After approximately 4 miles I made a 180 degree turn and climbed back over the top of the airport heading east. Three large peaks (Macduff Mountain, O’Leary Mountain and Horsepasture Mountain) sit to the south of McKenzie Bridge and together they form a formidable 5,000ft+ barrier which you have to go around or over when departing to the south. I chose to navigate around them to the east over slightly lower terrain and avoid a lengthier climb.

The Three Sister Mountains and Mount Bachelor towered over us to the east and once out of the McKenzie Pass the air became a lot smoother. This route took us over densely forested areas and as we gradually climbed at around 400ft/minute the ground seemed to rise at the same rate. As we passed abeam Mount Bachelor the terrain levelled out, becoming less undulating and hundreds of small lakes started to appear. It certainly looked like mosquito heaven down there!

As we approached the large Waldo Lake we saw a large area of trees that had died with many of them laying across the ground, at a guess the area was probably more than 400 acres. It didn’t look like there had been a fire as the ground had not been darkened, many looked like they had been flattened by very high winds. We wondered if disease or insects were to blame(?)

As we crossed the lake, which was extremely blue in colour, we were confronted by the 7,823ft high Maiden Peak which sat between us and Crescent Lake, after a short easterly diversion around this mountain and both Odell Lake and Crescent Lake came into view. Crescent Lake Airport actually lies nearer to Odell Lake, which is the more northerly lake, and the approach to runway 13 takes you right over the eastern end of the water.

Maiden Peak.

We flew over the airport to do the standard runway check and look at the windsock, which was indicating calm winds. As the airport sits in amongst the trees I wasn’t suprised by the limp windsock but there was no other way of getting accurate wind information. I opted for a landing on 13 as this would avoid the high trees at the runway 31 threshold, we descended over Odell Lake and lined up for a 2 mile final. As you approach the 13 threshold a busy train track comes very near to the aircraft and this could be disconcerting if a train passes by as you reach that point!

Diamond Peak

As you reach the runway you can suddenly see just how narrow and undulating it is, it is yet another of the Oregon Department of Aviation Warning Airports…this is what they say about it….

Crescent Lake State Airport is another little used but very important emergency/recreational airport. It is located in the high Cascades. At first glance, the runway appears to be ample in length at 3900′, but the airport elevation is 4810′. In the summer, density altitudes are frequently 7000′ and can exceed 8000′. Do you know the takeoff performance of your aircraft at 8000′?

The full length of the runway has been paved in the past few years, making it a relatively narrow 3900′ X 30′. Off-runway areas can be very dusty. The trees along the sides and NW end of the runway have been cut back to 180′ from centerline.

The threshold of Runway 31 is displaced 300′ because of the road and 55′ trees at the end of the runway. This is considerably less than the displacement needed to allow standard approach clearance, so a steep approach angle is required. The approach to Runway 13 has 15′ trees only 290′ from the end, but is much better than it has been in the past. The runway also has a slight slope (1.5%) up to the northwest. It is not particularly noticeable, but it could be a factor for some aircraft.

The airport receives no winter maintenance, so is closed due to snow as early as October, but typically November 1. The high elevation can lead to some prolonged winters. The airport normally reopens in May or June.

Crescent Lake State Airport offers some unique, and under-utilized, recreational opportunities. Camping is allowed on the airport. Crescent Lake Junction is less than an eighth of a mile to the east. Food, lodging, gas and other amenities are available. Odell Lake Lodge is about a mile from the northwest end of the runway. There is a trail that leads throught the woods to the lodge, or you might follow the railroad right of way, which comes within 600′ of the lodge. Food, lodging and boat rentals are available. Crescent Lake Lodge offers similar facilities, but it is about 3 miles southwest and some form of transportation might be advisable. A good map would also help.

Approaching Odell Lake

A very slight tailwind was noticeable on final (which was still not reported by the limp windsock) and this did not help with the already high groundspeed due to the high density altitude. The lumps and dips in the runway made it difficult to judge when to make the landing flare and I noticed that there were a lot of stones and dirt on the lefthand side of the runway which had been washed on by heavy rain.

Crescent Lake tie-down area.

After touchdown we taxied to the tie-down area which is at the eastern end of the airport. We had planned on camping here for the day but our initial impressions weren’t good, the tie-down area is right next to a road and we could not see a suitable camping area in which to get comfortable. As we disembarked from Tango Charlie our impressions of the place became worse, mosquitoes were everywhere and a quick application of repellent was rushed on to avoid the inevitable attack (mosquitos really enjoy biting me!). We had been told that there was a couple of restaurants right across the road from the airport and we headed off in that direction to get some breakfast. As we reached the heart of the town of Crescent Lake Junction (a few shops and houses on Highway 58) it became clear that the restaurants were no longer open, in fact one had completely burnt down!, and the only place to get refreshments was the local hunting store!

Crescent Lake Junction store

While drinking some coffee in the store we got talking to a couple of the locals and were kindly offered the use of a vehicle to have a look around the area. Conscious of the increasing temperature and density altitude we made a decision to turn down the kind offer and to fly to Sunriver (some 50 miles to the northeast) for fuel and to replan our trip.

Looking down runway 31 at Crescent Lake. Notice the train passing along the track next to the 13 threshold.

By the time we departed the airport the density altitude had climbed considerably due to the heat, as a result our take off run was noticeably affected and I made use of the railway cutting at the runway 31 departure end to avoid the high trees directly on the extended centerline. We were soon climbing out very slowly over Odell Lake and turning on course to Sunriver….

To be continued!