Big Creek Airport

The closure was almost certainly for economic reasons. The airstrip, also known as Big Creek Lodge Airport, was privately owned and its existence was tied to the commercial operations of the Big Creek Lodge. Such private airstrips are expensive to maintain, insure, and keep clear. The closure is likely linked to a change in ownership, a decline in business, or the complete cessation of operations at the lodge it served, making the airstrip's upkeep economically unviable. There is no evidence to suggest it was closed due to a specific accident or for military purposes.

The site is currently an abandoned and unmaintained airstrip. High-resolution satellite imagery confirms that the former dirt/gravel runway is overgrown with grass and shrubs, making it completely unusable for aircraft. The land is not being used for any other purpose and appears to be slowly reverting to its natural state.

Note: The airport is located in Big Creek, British Columbia, CANADA, not California, USA. The 'CA' in the ICAO identifier prefix is for Canada.

The airport's significance was purely logistical and local. It was a private airstrip that served as a vital transportation link for the remote Big Creek Lodge and potentially other ranches in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia. When active, it handled light general aviation aircraft, such as Cessna 185s, Piper Super Cubs, and de Havilland Beavers on wheels. These aircraft were essential for transporting guests for hunting, fishing, and wilderness tourism, as well as bringing in staff and critical supplies. The airstrip allowed the lodge to operate a 'fly-in' business model, bypassing the long and often challenging journey on unpaved roads from Williams Lake or other towns.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Re-establishing the airstrip would require a significant private investment to clear vegetation, regrade the surface, and ensure it meets modern safety standards for even private use. Such an undertaking would only be financially viable if a new commercial venture, such as a revitalized lodge or guest ranch, were to be established at the location with a business model dependent on fly-in access. Given the remote location and the high cost of such an enterprise, the prospects for reopening are considered extremely low to non-existent.