20211031 Buckhorn Draw wide FOV

Alternate versions of this video:
• 20211031 Buckhorn Draw... (interactive 360 VR)
I was on day 3 of a 4 day backcountry flying trip in trip in Utah. My two flying buddies from Colorado had headed home this morning, so I was on my own now. In the morning, I explored the Muddy River canyon and then followed the San Rafael River east to Huntington Utah airport. More on that flight in future video.
After getting some gas for the trike and food in town and a shower at the pilots lounge,
I repacked my trike and took off from Huntington with about two a half hours of daylight remaining. The skies were blue and the wind mostly calm, great conditions for canyon flying.
I followed a dirt road to the east and saw it descend into Buckhorn Draw, a flat bottomed canyon with a small stream. I was pretty sure there would not be any turbulence in the canyon, but this was no place to be surprised. Although the winds were light, I approached the canyon rim with caution, and carefully worked my way down, sorta like the way you ease into a cold swimming pool. When I dropped below the rim, it was great. The conditions were smooth, with the canyon walls totally blocking any puffs of wind.
The flying was about as good as it gets, the beautiful canyon walls drifting by, a small stream lined with cottonwood trees, and even a dirt road for an emergency landout.
I emerged from the canyon with over 2 hours of daylight remaining, and flew about 12 miles east to the Mexican Mountain Airstrip where I planned to land and camp at the end of the flight. After seeing the runway was in great shape, I returned here to fly the adjacent canyon to the south, the Little Grand Canyon of the San Rafael. That flight is covered in separate video.
I definitely want to return to Buckhorn Draw in my car for a ground level view. There are panels of petroglyphs along the side of the road. Not everything is best seen from my trike.

[@gorrdd]

Thanks Jeff... I find all your videos great viewing. Yes, a drive down the canyon would make for another great video. Gord

[@jeffsflightlog]

I have watched some others driving and hiking videos of these canyons. They are fun too.

[@mikesalas6058]

Good job 👍

[@jeffsflightlog]

Thanks 👍

[@barryritchey]

Awesome! I shared to my FB page. Love the 'Cold War Echo.' Guess a bird strike would have to make it past your screen and keel... Ever heard of a bird strike to a trike's prop?

[@jeffsflightlog]

Hi Barry. The birds were very small. It was all over in a second. And I think my body would act like a shield for a prop. Still, I avoid birds as much as possible. Did you try the VR versions on a big screen TV. Its fun to pan around while flying the canyon, especially looking backwards.

[@barryritchey]

@@jeffsflightlog Just now viewed your VR version on our TV. Very cool to use the remote. Next best thing to a tandem ride. I've been holding out for a GoPro, not having one since the original version. Now you have me 'infected'...