|
Sunrise Valley Ranch is an 11,000 acre working cattle ranch located approximately 40 miles by air, or 85 miles by road, due east of Bend, Oregon. Nestled in a small valley surrounded by the Ochoco Mountains, the ranch is owned by Larry and Susan Fildes. Three generations of their extended family live on the ranch and work along side Larry and Susan.
The Fildes family enjoys sharing the beauty and solitude of the Ochoco Mountains with visitors. To improve access to their remote home, the Recreational Aviation Foundation helped the Fildes to plan and develop an airstrip on the ranch. The 2,100 feet long by 60 feet wide dirt airstrip was constructed with local pilot volunteer support and opened to the public in the Spring of 2017.
Located at 4,400 feet elevation, and surrounded on three sides by 6,400 feet high mountains, the airstrip can be challenging on hot, windy days. Review of the safety briefing, and due consideration of pilot and aircraft capabilities, is essential before use: http://theraf.org/content/sunrise-valley-ranch-safety-briefing
Visitors to the ranch are welcome to camp adjacent to the airstrip, stay in the ranch’s rustic lodge, or just stop in for a delicious family style meal. Local pilots have already made this a favorite destination for weekend breakfast and the dining area is often crowded, so be sure to call ahead.
Activities available at the ranch include hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, or simply chilling out and enjoying the peaceful environment.
- Submitted by Richard Mayes
|