August 25, 2024 - Alaska Flight
Return Trip Day 3B - Cranbrook to Whetstone (Border Crossing) to Cut Bank, Montana
Passing by what I'm guessing is the CARS shack and then the passenger terminal.
   
Taking off at Cranbrook.
   

The plan was to follow the blue diamond VFR route easterly through the mountains to the flatlands by Lethbridge, then south to Whetstone.   It was not a straight path.  First I'd go southeast to Elko, then almost north to Fernie and Sparwood, then finally east to Fort Macleod.   Basically I'd just be following Highway 3.   Of course, I could just climb to 10,000 feet but go direct, but then I'd be way too early for my CBP appointment at Whetstone, and besides, what fun is that?

I start off by heading southeast following the Kootenay River.  The pass at Elko I'm heading for is clearly visible.
   
Pretty country.
   
The pass grows larger.
   
Now I'm through the pass and heading north, still following Highway 3 and some river.
   
Some big mountains to the west, and mere hills to the east.
   
I notice a dirt strip to the east.
   
Although I never encountered any ADS-B ground station coverage in Canada, the plane-to-plane capability works fine.  It enabled me to spot this guy coming into land on a turf strip at Elko/Lionel P. Demers Memorial Airpark
   
The little town of Elko.
   
Checking out a big Canfor lumber, pulp and paper facility just south of Elko.
   
Passing some good size mountains on the left (west).
   
A jagged mountain top.
   
Contiuing north up the valley.
   
Some white rock.
   
Passing the Fernie Alpine Resort by Cokato.
   
Approaching the towns of Castle Mountain and Fernie.
   
Checking out the Lizard Range to the west.
   
The  town of Fernie has quite the view.
   
A lot of impressive mountains in this area.
   
Now heading northeast.
   
 
   
Rounding the bend at Sparwood, almost a 300 degree turn.  Coming into view at top right is the biggest coal mine operation I have seen.
   
Elkview Coal Mine fills my windshield.
   
I was amazed at the sheer size of this coal mine.  They are literally chopping down the mountain.  Look at how small those trucks are against the mine.   The entire area is marked as "Blasting Area" on the chart.
   
The mine has coal reserves amounting to 220.6 million tonnes of coking coal, one of the largest coal reserves in Canada and the world. The mine has an annual production capacity of 4.19 million tonnes of coal.
   
The entire mountain must be made of coal!
   
Continuing on, now heading southeast.  I'm getting close to the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies.
   
 
   
Approaching a narrow pass -- marked on the charts -- just before reaching the town of Hazell.  It's easy to how Island Lake at lower right got its name.   At this point I am leaving British Columbia and entering Alberta.
   
Transiting the pass, now over Crowsnest Lake.
   
Passing Mount Sentry on the right.
   
Crowsnest ridge on the left with Mount Tecumsah in the left background.  Crowsnest Mountain stands alone at right at almost 9,000 feet.
   
The Crowsnest Pass was the last hurrah of Canadian Rockies.  The mountains noticeably begin diminishing after this.
   
Looking back at Crowsnext Ridge.
   
Another look at Crowsnest Mountain on the right.
   
The town of Coleman to the left and Blairmore at the entrance to that pass.
   
Just off the nose is Turtle Mountain, site of the infamous Frank Slide disaster.  In 1903, a massive rockslide buried part of the mining town of Frank.   At least 70 Frank residents died.  The site of the disaster, which remains nearly unchanged since the slide, is now a popular tourist destination.
   
The town of Frank and Turtle Mountain on April 30, 1903, one day after the slide.   ... Wikipedia
   
Frank Slide area in 2007.   ... Wikipedia
   
View from the north shoulder of Turtle Mountain. The Frank townsite was where the old road leaves the slide on the left. Frank Lake was created by the slide. Bellevue is at top right. The Interpretive Centre is at left (2013).  ... Wikipedia
   

And then I'm out of the Canadian Rockies and in the flatlands.

I've followed Highway 3 all the way from Cranbrook to here, but it continues to Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.  Highway 3 if also called Crowsnest Highway.  Of course it is.
   
Looking north at a good shot of the Livingstone Range of the Canadian Rockies, containing Central Peak.
   
That big X is Cowley Glider Strip.
   
Looking east at Oldman Reservoir.
   
Checking out Pincher Creek Airport.  No fuel services, not that I needed any.
   
Oldman Dam.
   
Flying south, parallel to the Canadian Rockies.  I was early so I just flew big racetrack around for 20 minutes or so.
   
Somewhere north of Del Bonita/Whetstone.
   
Pretty area.
   

Finally it was time to land at Whetstone and clear CBP.

There is Canadian Highway 62 which runs due south and crosses the border.  The Canadian border crossing station is on the left, and the U.S. border crossing station is on the right.  The runway is hard to see but runs to the left (east).
   
Close-up.  You can see the runway clearly at lower left.  Winds were light so I landed to the west, and later tookoff to the east.  I wasn't worried about the field gopher holes anymore but why do a long taxi if you don't have to?
   
Looking east down the runway at Del Bonita/Whetstone.
   
I touched down halfway down the runway then pulled into the south taxi area.  The signs confirmed this must be the place.  I just stayed in my cockpit.  I called Canadian fligth service and cancelled my flight plan while waiting for CBP.  After only a few minutes, an SUV pulled out of the U.S. CBP station and headed over to me.  The officer unlocked the gate and came over.  He was friendly, said I could get out of the plane, checked my CBP decal on the side of the plane, and then asked me to walk down to the CBP station.  (He would have given me a ride even though he wasn't supposed to, but I told him I welcomed the chance to stretch my legs)  At the station he asked the normal questions, asked to see my passport, pilots license, plane registration and medical certificate.  I filled out a customs entry form.  He entered a bunch of stuff into the computer and then that was that.
   
Back in the USA!
   
Taking off to the east.
   
Setting course direct for Cut Bank, Montana.  It was kind of nice to be in the flatlands, with no big mountains around.
   
Cut Bank Creek heads towards the town.
   
It's rare on a cross-country that I do a repeat visit, but it's kind of nice knowing the town already.
   


It's easy to see why Cut Bank has the name it does.

I like that railroad trestle bridge.
   
My old friend, Cut Bank International Airport.  I possibly could have cleared customs here, but not on the weekend as the CBP officer told me they didn't have the resources to do it.  I liked doing it at Whetstone, however.  Easier for me and easier for CBP.
   
Big sky country.
   
The plane tied down securely.  Cut Bank has lots of tie down rings and even provides tie-down ropes.
   
It was Sunday afternoon and the airport was deserted.  But both crew cars were there (and the keys).  The sleeping rooms were available if I had wanted them.  But this time I had been able to get the coveted Super 8 motel reservation.   I drove into town, checked in to the Super 8, walked to the nearby Village Restaurant and Lounge, and had a nice dinner.  It was nice to be back in the continental U.S.!
   
Spot track to Whetstone/Del Bonita for border crossing then on to Cut Bank, Montana.
   
 
   
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