Harrison Mills, an aviators paradise

	John Gray flying his C-172 over Gulf Islands en route to Harrison Mills.
	Left downwind abeam airstrip for landing SW.
	Short final SW with a flock of flapping geese.
	Al Pastor landing. Photos courtesy Capt. Ken
	Patio at Harrison Mills Lodge.
	Guest lodge sitting room
	Dinning room where royalty have feasted.
	Guest room in lodge.
	Betty Ann, John Gray and Al Pastor entering a private mini mansion
	View from cabin (mini mansion).

Harrison Mills B.C. is becoming a popular airstrip for pilots looking for a myriad of entertainment possibilities.

Originally a family acreage, the airstrip now provides a gateway for golfers, visitors to the restaurant or overnight guests seeking the comfort of luxury suites in the refurbished family house or architecturally superb cabins. They may be called cabins, but the woodwork, living space, excellent views and accessories such as hot tubs would more readily attract the “handle” of mini mansions.

Local Skyhawk owner, John Gray, invited me for an outing on a round trip from Victoria. My impressions of his flying and the resort at Harrison Mills have left very positive poignant memories. 

Pretty Estates, as the Harrison Mills resort is known, is the brainchild of Betty Anne Faulkner, a daughter of the family that homesteaded the property and built a logging empire in B.C. 

We were joined over lunch by Victoria Skyhawk owner Al Pastor and met Betty as she visited friends at the next table.  She offered to take us for a tour and we did so after finishing fine meals in a restaurant that features both inside and deck seating and a broad selection of comestibles.

The grounds are first class. The family built and constantly improved the property’s buildings and setting over the years. They even went so far as to create their own electrical power on the creek that runs through the property.

The family home, known as Rowena’s Inn has been renovated but retains the antiques and elegant decorations of yesteryear. The estate has hosted a King and Queen and many other dignitaries at the lengthy dining room table overlooking the lake-like river.

THE AIRSTRIP

The property is located north of the “town” of Harrison Mills – just across the bridge that spans the river. The mixed grass and packed gravel strip runs along the river in a NE/SW direction and has a parking area between the river and strip. 

The SW approach would be preferable as it is over the broad river and has no obstacles – other than the Canadian Geese getting in a flap along the waterfront near the threshold.  Approaching for a NE landing requires aircraft to make their approach over wires and trees and should prove no problem for well-flown approaches in most aircraft.

Although the landing surface isn’t long at 2,000 feet, John used about 1/3 of its length for our full stop landing on the SW direction in calm winds. The surface is reasonably smooth and as always, grass strips are always a pleasure to kiss the wheels on compared to pavement. 

Due attention will be needed when taxiing and applying power to avoid picking up propeller rock chips – but these are standard techniques when operating off any airstrip – including pavement.

I derived the airstrip location as 49 15 09 N and 121 56 44 W from Google Maps where a detailed satellite photo is available.

No fuel is available at the strip, however, telephones to close and file flight plans are readily available. Virtually every desire will be catered to once you cross a few fairways to the food and lodging facilities.

For those who wish to conduct a ground reconnaissance of the strip before flying in - from the town site of Harrison Mills on Highway 7 (don’t look for much in the way of development) proceed NW across the bridge and turn right on Morris Valley Road.

For more information regarding the on-site golfing at this exceptionally beautiful course call 1-877-796-1001 or visit www.sandpipergolfclub.com  For information on Rowena’s Inn call 1-800-661-5108 or visit:  www.rowenasinn.com