Only 45 NM away from Boeing Field, Ranger Creek is in another world. The challenge and beauty of this back country airport are unmatched in the Puget Sound area. It must be stated that this airport is for experienced pilots only. Do not attempt this airport without first visiting with your flight instructor!
At only 30 minutes from Seattle, this is a great airport to get an introduction to mountain flying close to home. The airport is paved and in good condition, but the terrain around the airport makes the arrival and departure challenging. As you fly south-east of Seattle you will pass a large white radar ball at 29nm from the SEA VOR. This is the entrance to the valley. SR 410 Chinook Pass Hwy runs from this point all the way to Ranger Creek. This road will be a good emergency landing site as you follow the valley back. The valley opens up and flattens out at Greenwater, but quickly narrows as you continue south-east. The ridges on both side of the airport top out at over 5,000 feet and the airport is at 2,650 feet, so it is a little tight for flatlanders in the 1.5 mile wide valley. The wind sock can be a challenge to find and use as it is on a 10 foot poll next to 80 foot trees.
View Larger Map Wind is also a challenge as cold dense air descends out of the cascades and pours into Puget sound. The approach is tight for both runways and you can expect a wind shift as you descend below tree level. The runway is 30 feet wide and has a gravel clearway that is about 100 feet wide. Once safely on the ground, there is a place to push back at mid-field and a welcome book to sign. There is fishing and camping right at the airport and lots of nature to explore. On departure, most pilots choose to use runway 33 and climb down the valley instead of departing into the narrowing valley on runway 15. A slight tailwind is often preferred instead of trying to takeoff into rising, narrowing terrain.