Mysterious Airport, Whose?

[Bill Greenwood]

A friend of mine who is a CFI, was flying with a student recently from Alamosa, in Southern, Col over La Veta Pass, and saw a long paved runway without any markings, a road going in and a parking ramp. It doesn't have any builldings. It does not seem to even be on the sectional. It is north of the main road going through the pass., on the MT. Blanca side of the road.
Anyone got any ideas?

[gary1954]

Now you've done it, that is Area 51.25 and the government was working to keep that area a secret for UFO visitations...
... they are gonna fix you man, I am scared for you

Last edited by gary1954 on Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

Try the 'Abandoned/Forgotten Airports site and see if it turns up, there's lots of old military aux fields and strips guys built on speculation and starved to death on.

[RV8er]

Forbes Ranch perhaps? Back in '93-'94 I flew Beech 1900s for Mesa and flew DEN to Pueblo and Alamosa quite a bit and recall hearing about this big runway out in the boonies owned by Malcolm Forbes. Supposedly he flew his 727 in there, N60FM. Then again, prior to the 727 he operated a Convair 580, so perhaps the 580 was his ranch runabout ship.

Frustrating thing is, I can't find it looking at satellite pics, but I recall seeing out the window of the 1900... my brain is failing me.

[Ztex]

Interesting.
I have been looking on-line a bit as well. I the Trinchera/ Forbes Ranch is the right idea.

I found it on TerraServer but not Google or Bing.

http://www.terraserver.com/view.asp?cx= ... -1&drwl=-1

________
Not on Sectionals or USGS maps that I could find.
http://skyvector.com/?ll=37.49694339388 ... =18&zoom=1
________
It is mentioned in a Colorado PUC document...page 3 line 17.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... Vw&cad=rja

[billtate]

Oh come on; it is obvious it is a smugglers air field, built with drug money. No cameras please.

[m charters]

Looking at your Terra Server image I would say that it is a new runway. Asphalt is nice and dark looking with no markings yet, not the typical dirty faded appearance when you look at others.
This google image shows where it should be by the coordinates.



You'll have to do some investigating Bill and let us all know.

[gary1954]

Looking at your Terra Server image I would say that it is a new runway. Asphalt is nice and dark looking with no markings yet, not the typical dirty faded appearance when you look at others.
This google image shows where it should be by the coordinates.



You'll have to do some investigating Bill and let us all know.

ITS Right There!!!! can you not see it man?? All the secrets!!!.........I can't take it any more

[Bill Greenwood]

This is not an old military field or abandoned airstrip, not some Supercub strip.
It is pristine blacktop, but with no markings or nunbers, I'd guess it is a mile or so long, at least.
I have seen the photo of it taken from the air a week ago.I don't know how to tell the CFI to get it from his phone onto WIX, but he may get that done.
It may well be the Forbes ranch one. The question is why it doesn't appear on the sectional?

Zane, you are a pretty good detective, that is the one.

[Sully]

If I remember correctly, the owner/operator of a "Private Use" airport must request it be placed on charts.

Sully
(Former Airport Owner)