Central Idaho Bush Trip For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Ever since the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the online aviation community has been obsessed with the custom made bush trips included in the game. And it’s easy to see why. With the incredible detail of the entire world being recreated using Bing satellite imagery, it’s never been easier, or more fun, to fly using VFR (Visual Flight Rules). The bush trips provide no map and no GPS. Just heading directions, distance, and estimated time of arrival between waypoints, so pilots need to be eagled eyed while searching for the identified scenery cues to keep on their course. With the entire world at our disposal in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the opportunities to fly bush trips literally anywhere inspired me to start creating custom adventures for the avid community to enjoy. And where better to start than in my own backyard of Idaho.

Idaho is known as the Gem State, and for good reason. While the state produces over 240 different types of minerals, that is not the only gems the state has to offer. With most of Idaho’s land being untouched by mankind, the landscape yields countless miles of remote wilderness filled with stunning mountain peaks, thick forest land, and 107,651 miles of rivers. Idaho is an outdoor lovers paradise, and with countless remote air strips, it is also a bush pilots dreamland. This 15 leg bush tour will take you from the small state capital of Boise and into the remote backcountry, where you will test your bush piloting skills by flying from high mountain peaks brimming with springtime thunderstorms to skimming the white water rapids of the Salmon River, where you will test your landing skills on riverside landing strips tucked tight into the canyon walls. Supermoons, night flying, and snowy conditions will add to the challenge.

There are 2 ways to enjoy this custom bush trip on your own schedule.

Option 1: Complete this bush trip as an in game experience, just like the bush trips that came with the game. Your progress will be auto saved and you will have the directions, distance, and ETE embedded in the on screen NavLog as well as access to the ‘back on track’ feature. I have also made it so you can fly whichever plane you like as well as added the ability to adjust date, time and weather, something you could not do in the original bush trips designed by Asobo. Additionally, our in-game experience has detailed weather settings to add to the challenge and beauty of your North Idaho Bush Trip. The Premium Version also has redesigned flight legs with better waypoints, easier to spot Points of Interest, longer, more challenging legs, custom weather settings, and better photos of the landing strips than what is provided here.

If you have not flown the original South Idaho Bush Trip or North Idaho Bush Trip, for a limited time, you can save by bundling all three into one download. This 48-leg bush trip package covers almost 2,000 nautical miles for an incredible 17 hour adventure through the remote Idaho backcountry, flying between beautiful 12,000 foot jagged mountain peaks, over thousands of miles of untamed river and in front of giant orange supermoons, which rise just as the sun sets.

Download the package from the Premium Trips page.

Option 2: Simply input the data I provide below into your Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 world map. Please be sure to input the desired date, time, and weather for all of the legs. 

For this bush trip, I used weather presets from SoFly called Weather Preset Pro. While you can semi recreate these conditions using the sliders in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, these presets make it so much easier and quicker. Plus, they somehow created weather I couldn’t recreate as much as I tried. For only $6 US, I think it’s well worth the investment, and I believe it will make this bush trip, as well as your free flights, much more enjoyable. I will also be using these weather presets in my future bush trips, so if you plan on flying more with me, I recommend adding the Weather Preset Pro to your community folder.

If you do not have SoFly Weather Presets, I do provide a detailed breakdown of the weather settings in the Premium Bush Trip package.

I completed this bush trip using the XCub, and I suggest you do the same. All times are based off the XCub, so if you choose another plane with a different cruise speed, you will need to rely strictly on visual cues. If you install the bush trip in option one, you have the option to change planes and the in game NavLog will reflect the correct ETE times depending on which plane you choose.

Since I plan on creating more of these, your feedback will be invaluable to adjustments that I make in future trips. Please feel free to tell me what you liked, didn’t like, bugs, etc in the comments or via the contact form on this website.

Leg 1: Boise (KBOI) to Idaho City (U98)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 5th 2020 11:00AM
Weather Preset Pro – Big And Bold
In Game Preset -Scattered Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

While known for its wilderness, Idaho doesn’t completely neglect the city life, and Boise is evidence of this. Idaho’s capital is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, and this quick tour through central Idaho will show why Boise has become basecamp for the young work hard, play by hard crowd. Depart from KBOI, a relatively small airport for a state capital and head north east over the small, yet lively downtown area filled with countless restaurants, breweries and live music venues. Continue past downtown into the North End (Hyde Park), the hip neighborhood with houses dating back over a century. Once the neighborhood backs up to the foothills, look for the elevated point of Camel’s Back Park that juts out into the neighborhood for your first waypoint.

Turn slowly towards the north and begin the slow ascent up to Bogus Basin, Boise’s entertaining ski mountain. Once the neighborhoods and trees begin to disappear, you will know you are on the right track when you follow the lone Bogus Basin Road as it weaves up the foothills. Near the top of the mountain, look for the ski area parking lots, which are large dirt strips that stand out against the green.

Turn northeast where you will begin your slow ascent to Idaho City, a charming town of 465 residents founded in 1862. Look for the dirt airstrip to the left of Highway 21 just before the main town. 

Heading	Distance	ETE
357 – Camel’s Back Park	4.47NM	3’00”
15 – Bogus Basin	8.74NM	5’00”
58 – Idaho City	11.00NM	7’00

Leg 2: Idaho City (U98) to Garden Valley (U88)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 5th 2020 3:00PM
Weather Preset Pro – Big And Bold
In Game Preset -Scattered Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

While Garden Valley is a relatively straight shot, we are going to take the long way and get our first look at the Payette River via the historic town of Horseshoe Bend. After departing the Idaho City airstrip head to the northwest corner of Idaho City where you will see State Highway 307 start to wind its way through the forest. Follow Highway 307 until you see the small town of Placerville and the Treasure Gulch Landing strip.

Head west for about 11nm where Horseshoe Bend will appear in a flat valley surrounded by high hills.

One you hit the far south side of the town, follow the Payette River north until you spot a small bridge over the water at the tiny town of Banks.

Follow Banks Lowman Road heading east along another fork of the Payette river. Once the canyon opens up to Grass Valley, look for ther. 

Heading	Distance	ETE
313 – New Centerville (Highway 364)	8.04NM	6’00”
252 – Horseshoe Bend	11.00NM	5’00”
7 – Banks	11.94NM	7’00”
98 – Garden Valley	7.05NM	4’00”

Leg 3: Garden Valley (U88) to Deadwood Reservoir (ID86)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 5th 2020 6:00PM
Weather Preset Pro – Big And Bold
In Game Preset – Scattered Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

Take off and head back through the Garden Valley northwest via the direction you came on highway 17 until you see the tiny town of Crouch, over a bridge on the other side of the river.

From Crouch, turn and begin the long climb up to Deadwood Dam, a beautiful lake tucked 5,500 into the Boise National Forest. Look for the very challenging dirt landing strip on the southeast corner of the lake. A low approach over trees and a building lead to a upsloped landing on a short runway. Once you (hopefully) stick the landing, depart the plane and head to the lake to make dinner, check out the sunset view, and set up camp. Get some good sleep. You earned it! Be ready for an early morning departure tomorrow. 

Heading	Distance	ETE
315 – Crouch	3.34NM	3’00”
38 – Deadwood Reservoir	9.37NM	12’00”

Leg 4: Deadwood Reservoir (ID86) to Cascade (U70)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 6th 2020 8:00AM
Weather Preset Pro – Morning Dew
In Game Preset -Broken Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

A beautiful morning flight leads to a straight shot from the Deadwood Reservoir to the airport outside of Cascade Lake, although it is not as easy as it sounds. From a speedy downslope takeoff over the lake known for its trout and salmon fishing to a steady climb into the mountainous terrain, this short jaunt is as challenging as it is scenic. Especially this morning with the thick Idaho mountain cloud cover and rain showers. Look for the Middle Fork of the Payette River, which is the halfway point of your 20nm flight.

Leg 5: Cascade (U70) to New Meadows (1U4)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 6th 2020 11:00AM
Weather Preset Pro – Building Storms
In Game Preset –Scattered Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

A short, easy flight connects two towns that bring in tourists year round thanks to their close proximity to freshwater lakes and challenging ski mountains. The lake right outside the airport is Lake Cascade and is one of the biggest lake in Idaho, so hug the eastern coastline while going north to take in the stunning views.

Towards the north end of the lake, when the lake begins to get very thin, follow the land on the right to the bright yellow farm field.

Turn northeast to hug the mountain ridge and get a killer view of Jug Handle Mountain and a collection of lakes at its base.

Head northwest towards McCall, on the shores of Payette Lake. This bustling town is often called ‘Little Lake Tahoe’ for its tourist driven watersport recreation culture.

Once you get an overview of McCall, head north to the far end of the lake.

Make a sharp turn west to begin your approach to New Meadows landing strip which lies just north of the quaint town. Park your bird and take an Uber back to McCall for a tasty lunch and frosty beverage while sitting on the beach and swimming in the cool mountain lake. 

Heading	Distance	ETE
318 – Lake Cascade	4.74NM	3’00”
340 – Lake Cascade North (Yellow Farm Patch)	6.40NM	4’00”
10 – Jug Handle Mountain	11.00NM	6’00”
297 – McCall	6.20NM	3’00”
351 – Payette Lake	5.08NM	3’00”
251 – New Meadows	9.20NM	5’00”

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Leg 6: New Meadows (1U4) to Big Bar (ID42)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 6th 2020 6:00PM
Weather Preset Pro – Scattered Storms
In Game Preset -Storm (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

In true Idaho Spring tradition, a severe thunderstorm has rolled in from the west, coming directly over the Seven Devils Mountain Range, which, unfortunately for your motion sickness prone girlfriend, is right in the middle of your flight plan to Big Bar, a small landing strip on the mighty Snake River. But you have a schedule to keep, and you will be damned to let a little thunderstorm stop you from arriving at your Snake River campsite. Take off from New Meadows and head west until you hit the northern edge of Lost Valley Lake,

Turn northwest and beginning the big climb up to the Seven Devils. At the very top of the range, look for a valley that carves through the peaks. In this valley you will find the remote Emerald Lake.

From Emerald Lake, follow the canyon at the top of Seven Devil’s until the V shaped exit leads you down north to the Snake River.

Follow the river northeast for 15 nautical miles until you reach Big Bar landing strip. You may think it’s the longer, bigger strip with the long gray building at the far end, but it is actually the small
strip across the river. One small building sits on the side of the strip. A challenging landing in clear skies, the thunderstorm and high winds leave no room for error. Once you land, revel in the excitement that this treacherous journey brought and set up camp and watch the thunderstorm slowly move east until clear skies lead to a night sky full of stars.

Heading	Distance	ETE
249 – Lost Valley Lake	7.58NM	5’00”
328 -Seven Devils Mountains (Emerald Lake)	21.24NM	13’00”
308 -Snake River	7.38NM	5’00”
9 – Big Bar	14.73NM	9’00”

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Leg 7: Big Bar (ID42) to Hungry Ridge Ranch (37ID)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 7th 2020 1:00PM
Weather Preset Pro – Low and Breezy
In Game Preset -Scattered Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version)

The excitement of last night’s adventurous flight to Big Bar has left you and your girlfriend exhausted, so you decide to sleep in and spend the morning relaxing on the shores of the Snake River. As this river acts as the border between Idaho and Oregon, you spent your morning swimming in between two states. Priorities. You finally dry off and pack up camp and load up for a 1:00pm departure to Hungry Ridge Ranch. As the thunderstorm has left scattered clouds with strong winds, you will have to carefully take off from the small riverside landing strip and follow the river northeast until you reach waypoint at Pleasant Valley Island. This is marked by a circular campground and big parking lot off the side of the river.

Exit your path that follows the Snake River and head to the east where the Slate Creek airstrip at the big bend in the river serves as your next waypoint.

Turn slightly north and climb the mountain forest until you reach Hungry Ridge airstrip.

Heading	Distance	ETE
2 – Pleasant Valley Island	6.75NM	5’00”
61 – Slate Creek	7.67NM	5’00”
51 – Hungry Ridge Ranch	16.75NM	9’00”

Leg 8: Hungry Ridge (37ID) to Mallard Creek Ranch (91D6)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 7th 2020 8:10PM
In Game Preset -Clear Skies

Take off from Hungry Ridge Ranch and head southeast. But upon takeoff you notice the full moon rising and remember that this is the biggest supermoon of the year! Follow a southeast path for about 14nm until you see Buffalo Hump Peak on the Bear Grass Ridge with a great view of Crystal Lake and the supermoon rising in the distance. Position your plane in front of the peaks and get that drone camera out! The longer the focal length of your camera, the bigger the moon will appear, so make sure to set the zoom between 80-100 to get the dramatic shot you are after.

Head east straight to the rising moon for 18nm until you hit the Mallard Creek landing strip. In the slowly descending darkness, it should be visible right in front of the bright yellow light of a house tucked up against a hill in the background.

Heading	Distance	ETE
127 – Bear Grass Ridge	12.09NM	8’00”
77 – Mallard Creek Ranch	18.00NM	10’00”

Leg 9: Mallard Creek Ranch (91D6) to Wilson Bar USFS (C48)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 8th 2020 10:00AM
Weather Preset Pro –Low Level Clouds
In Game Preset -Few Clouds (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version

A challenging takeoff from runway 30 will lead you to navigate your rapid ascent carefully, as you will be close to skimming the tops of the trees for a minute.

Direct your turn northeast until you have safely rose above the trees and then turn south and follow the hills until you reach the Salmon River.

Follow the river southwest for 12nm. The Wilson bar landing strip, which will not be visible until the last minute, will present a challenging landing. Good luck with this one! 

Heading	Distance	ETE
38	2.39NM	1’08”
163	5.53NM	2’38”
225 – Salmon River	12.00NM	7’00”

Leg 10: Wilson Bar USFS (C48) to Flying B Ranch (12ID)

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 8th 2020 1:00PM
Weather Preset Pro –Light Fog
In Game Preset -Rain (More detailed weather settings located in the Premium Version

All this mountain flying has gotten your girlfriend a nasty case of altitude sickness, so she has requested a low altitude flight today, and since you are flying to and from river landing strips, you may as well have some fun with it, right? This leg will take you just a couple hundred feet above the Salmon River as you follow the winding waterway as it snakes through the canyon with wild twists and turns for about 45 minutes.

About 24 minutes into your whitewater adventure, look for the fork that splits off the Middle Fork of the Salmon River from the main Salmon River. You will take the middle fork, so a hard 90 degree turn to the southwest will lead you to the remaining 22 miles where you will come upon the Flying B Ranch strip, which lies hidden over a hill on the east side of the river. You will know you are in the right place when you see another landing strip (Bernard USFS) just before the hill on the west side of the river. Pass this strip and fly just over the hill and make the quick landing on the dirt strip.  

Heading	Distance	ETE
17	6.16NM	2’56”
84	2.49NM	1’11”
33	7.94NM	3’46”
105	7.90NM	3’45”
107	7.95NM	3’47”
111	4.50NM	2’8″
66	3.27NM	1’33”
124 -Take the fork southwest	8.13NM	3’52”
204	7.60NM	3’37”
171 – Flying B Ranch	13.79NM	6’33”

Leg 11: Flying B Ranch (12ID) to Upper Loon Creek (U72) 

Set Date, Time and Weather to April 9th 2020 1:30AM
In Game Preset – Clear Skies

After the exhausting wild river flight, you decide to change your schedule a bit and take a mid-afternoon nap along the river. What was supposed to be a quick snooze under the clear afternoon skies turned into an 8 hour marathon sleep session. Waking up well after dark, you decide you don’t want to adjust your schedule. With clear skies and a bright near full moon above, you feel confident in your ability to find the Upper Loon Creek airstrip under night skies. It’s a straight shot after all! Fly heading 175 for 23 miles, roughly 13 minutes, until you see the lights of the Upper Loon Creek airstrip. Along the way, you will see a lit up road that confirms that you are flying in the right direction. 

Heading	Distance	ETE
175 – Upper Loon Creek	23.00NM	13’00”