PIREPS - Airfields

November 2, 2020--overflew the airstrip at 500 feet. Runway looks clear and dry.

November 6, 2020--mowed runway entire length and width, windsock good, tossed some rocks.

Parking area mowed for 2 airplanes across runway from entrance road.

5-22-21 A TFR was issued that encompasses Beaverhead Airstrip, so it is off limits until the TFR is cancelled.

The TFR over Beaverhead was cancelled today, but there is still a TFR over the Gila Wilderness for the Johnson Fire.

Full length and most of the width was mowed on 8-30-21. Also mowed a small parking area across from the entrance road.

Windsock was faded but OK. Runway was in good shape, but can be soft on the lower end if it has recent rains.

Runway condition is unknown, height of grass is unknown. This airstrip was not impacted by the fire, but access to it by land was cutoff for weeks.

Partial mowing completed on 3-11-23. About 30' wide from the entrance road to the bottom end, and about 20' wide from the entrance road to the upper end. Also mowed a 2 plane parking area across from the entrance road. Runway was moist but pretty firm and reasonably smooth for a backcountry strip. Windsock was working, but is fading. Darkness forced an early exit from mowing.

Stopped by Beaverhead on the way home from Me-Own. Runway is firm and dry, in good shape. I plan to replace the windsock in July. It is working fine, just faded.

There is some moderate smoke from the Pass Fire near Beaverhead Airstrip. It was caused by lightning, and the FS is monitoring to allow natural consumption of underbrush and grasses.

The Pass Fire is minimally active now after about 60000 acres. The TFR has been cancelled.

As of 7/24/23

I flew to Beaverhead to replace the windsock. It was very early morning, and the smoke from wildfires near Negrito was settled close to the ground, resembling fog. The runway at Beaverhead was clumpy and bumpy, as expected. The weeds are about 2' high and thick enough to green up the front of a plane. I am planning to mow it late July/early August.

As of 7/31/23

I mowed Beaverhead runway full length and width. Windsock good. There is mostly clump grass, so it is a little bumpy. The bigger the tires, the smoother it should be.

As of 7-31-24

I mowed the runway until thunderstorms chased me out. From the entrance gate to the bottom end, it is mowed about 40 feet wide. From the entrance to the upper end it is mowed about 20 feet wide. The windsock is good. The turf coverage is about 75% of the surface and is very green. The runway is in good shape.

As of 1/27/25

The runway was in good condition, but somewhat bumpy. Bigger tires would be best. The grass is about 8-10 inches high. The windsock is good.

As of 4/12/25

Mowed runway full length and width. Windsock is working, but starting to fade. Runway is about 80% turfed and just a bit bumpy due to the clump grass, otherwise in good shape.

Overflew Beaverhead on 8-10-25. Looked good from 1000' agl.

As of 9/19/25

Stopped by Beaverhead while driving home. Runway seemed to be in good condition with grass generally 6-8 inches high with widely scattered 12" vegetation. Windsock good.

As of 8/5/26

Mowed entire length and about 20-25 feet in the centerline of the runway. The grass was not very high, generally about 6", so mainly the tall thistles were mowed. The grass coverage is about 85%, and the unmowed grass is hoped to go to seed this fall and help to spread the coverage. The pilot of a tailwheel plane with medium tires reported the surface was not too bad. The windsock is working, but faded. A new windsock was provided to the USFS district office.