Breaks Flyin... Winifred 9S7
20-22 June 2025:
Below rerun with updates for 2025:
For First Time Attendees
The Missouri Breaks were named by Lewis and Clark in 1805 during their trip to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. In that round- trip of 8000 miles, only this ca. 150-mile stretch of the river is left untouched as Lewis and Clark found it. The lands in the now named upper Missouri Breaks National Monument are too rough to be farmed and even tough to find cattle in. Winifred is a town of about 150 august folks in the Breaks some 15 miles south of the Missouri River. Even as the land in the Breaks remain in stasis, Winifred is rapidly changing. A fellow pilot, and good friend of many of the attendees to this flyin, has donated millions of dollars to refurbish/build the school, the airport, and the town itself. This story is sort of what Winifred is all about... it is a village where time has not spoiled the folks who are hardworking, honest, generous, and make a living working off the land. We also have one great cafe, two filling stations, one steak house, two churches and several bars. If it sounds too good to be true, just know I have had trouble believing it myself for the 50 years I have lived here. The Recreational Aviation Foundation and MT Pilots Assn. fought hard to keep airstrips open in the Breaks, and are looking for other opportunities to expand our almost trackless recreation in these tough areas. We invite you to celebrate and explore this place from the air. It is the way the world used to be, and we wish it still was.
The Winifred Hotel Suites are in transition to a new manager and are full for the 19-20th. 406 462 5323 The old bank hotel is open but filling 406 366 1951 Camping is always welcome; most folks camp. The RAF is in the midst of building a spectacular expanded place to camp complete with RAF signature pilots' shelter and fire ring.... probably not completed by flyin time this year.
Airstrips: 9S7 (Winifred Strip) has changed too (see the 1st post) 60' X 4000' running basically 10º - 28º. Paving is completed but the new grass on the turf strip has just been replanted. WE CAN'T LAND ON THE TURF STRIP THIS YEAR WITH THIS NEW GRASS!! The strip rises gently uphill from the east to the west. If wind conditions allow, land planes east to west. Down hill landings aren't bad...just a little longer than you are used to. Use 122.9 as the CTAF.
Breaks strips: All 6 strips run generally E - W and are between 1200 - 3000'. The shortest is Woodhawk at ca. 1000'. The longest is a private strip called Heller Bottom which is the only strip right on the Missouri River in the Breaks. Although private, we are welcomed at Heller by Loren Smith the owner. Loren has also installed some picnic tables and a small one-roomed KOA type cabin (first come first served). Use 122.9 to announce in the backcountry and 123.45 for chatter. Although we consider these strips relatively easy for backcountry fliers, a couple of airplanes have been bent in the reaks (no injuries). It is backcountry....always have your "A" game on and look to avoid surprises.
Meals: Friday night is catered bar-b-q and fixins.... ca. $15/ plate.
Saturday morning is flyin to Lewistown (up the Judith River....beautiful!!) to Lewistown for pancakes and LWT flyin.
Saturday night is hangar-burgers and fixins catered....ca. $15/plate
Other meals are on your own. The Winifred store (ancient Croatian stone mason built) has food makings and great sandwiches. The Winifred Bar is famous with pilots... greatest hamburgers ever made... and beer if you are through flying.
Other than the flight up the Judith River, there are no planed flyouts....that could change if there is interest. There are plenty of pilots here willing to lead you to the strips, and all strips are now on the maps. We facilitate your visit here to the Missouri Breaks and make you as comfortable as possible. The friends here make the trip welcome in itself. Call if you have questions. Ralph 406 350 5487
Photo by Pete Smith notice new school in background.
