The C-47B Dakota USAF #45-1124 crashed in snowstorm on 12/1/52 while on a flight from Offutt AFB at Omaha, Nebraska to March AFB near Riverside, California killing the 13 men on board. On 12/26/52, a Marine Corps helicopter crashed while trying to reach the crash site. The remains of it’s rotor blades are at the bottom of the canyon near Mine Shaft Flats. The C-47’s wreckage is scattered from the Sky High Trail at 10,400' all the way down the canyon. I have past by this crash site many times while doing hikes in the area. This time plan to spend the day checking it out.

The C-47 Dakota is the military's version of the DC-3.

Joe, me at the Fish Creek Trailhead. The plan is to hike up the Fish Creek Trail to Mine Shaft Saddle. Then take the Sky High Trail to the crash site. From there, follow the canyon down that holds the plane's wreckage to Mine Shaft Flat and up the North Fork Meadow Trail back up to the Fish Creek Trail.

Flowers along the trail.

Me at Fish Creek saddle at 9,800'. Stopped here for a short break to eat.

Lot of dead trees on this section of trail as I near Mine Shaft Saddle.

Dry Lake still looks full. This lake drys up in the summer.

Approching Mine Shaft Saddle at 10,000'.

The start of the Sky High Trail just past the saddle.

Some of the C-47 wreakage at the 10,400' level on the Sky High Trail. The trail passes right trough the crash site.

Above the trail is one of the wings.