petrolero
Pattern Altitude
I have a TR182 and it rocks balls for mountain flying. I could climb high and ignore the rocks below but I'm trying to practice flying *in* the mountains and not just sky over them as if they weren't there. I'm still going to use the advantages of the turbo in spots but I intend to fly via passes.
Caveat: I have had mountain training and experience before (Colo. Pilots Assoc. & with Civil Air Patrol), but I like to keep training. I am familiar with, and have recently reviewed, my notes from the CPA mountain class. I mention that so that we don't rehash all the mountain rules of thumb and recommended practices.
All that to ask this...
What route would you take from:
A) Centennial Airport (KAPA) to Salida (KANK) to Leadville (KLXV) to Granby (KGNB) and back to KAPA?
B.) also, from KAPA to Gunnison/Crested Butte (KGUC)?
_____________
A) My plan is
But Leadville to Granby presents some interesting options that I want to think through:
From most to least direct from Leadville to Granby:
... Thence... Dillon Reservoir, up the Blue River Valley, cross over the Williams Fork Mountains at the saddle north of Ute Peak (NE of DOBEE int) and down into Granby.
OR
Thence... From Granby via the usual ROLLINS PASS and back to KAPA.
B.) from KAPA to KGUC, a route I have never flown except for the first two passes...
Anyone have experience with some of these passes? Obviously winds at 12k and other general weather will have to be favorable. Winds aloft are pretty dead this time of year but we'll see.
Caveat: I have had mountain training and experience before (Colo. Pilots Assoc. & with Civil Air Patrol), but I like to keep training. I am familiar with, and have recently reviewed, my notes from the CPA mountain class. I mention that so that we don't rehash all the mountain rules of thumb and recommended practices.
All that to ask this...
What route would you take from:
A) Centennial Airport (KAPA) to Salida (KANK) to Leadville (KLXV) to Granby (KGNB) and back to KAPA?
B.) also, from KAPA to Gunnison/Crested Butte (KGUC)?
_____________
A) My plan is
- KAPA,
- Wilkerson Pass,
- Trout Creek Pass,
- down the Arkansas River to KANK.
- Then back up the Valley to KLXV. I've done most of this route before (in a truly gutless C172RG), including landing & departing KLXV & KAEJ.
But Leadville to Granby presents some interesting options that I want to think through:
From most to least direct from Leadville to Granby:
- FREMONT PASS to Dillon Res: Basically following CO 91 NE north out of Leadville (after gaining sufficient altitude, of course). That is a somewhat narrow pass that is 5 miles peak to peak. But is pretty flat on top with places to land...
- MOSQUITO PASS to Hoosier to Dillon Res: This bad boy is barely a pass in my view at over 13,000 feet. It's basically crossing a 13,000 ft mountain range. Yes, I could do it in a turbo but meh. No good places to land....
- WESTON PASS to HOOSIER PASS to Dillon Res: Even narrower than Fremont at only 2 miles peak to peak. I know a lot of guys like sneaking through this one. It's high and flat on top and beautiful but I don't see it as any better or worse than Fremont Pass, and it's less direct....
... Thence... Dillon Reservoir, up the Blue River Valley, cross over the Williams Fork Mountains at the saddle north of Ute Peak (NE of DOBEE int) and down into Granby.
OR
- Leadville to TENNESSEE PASS to the long way around up by Eagle then Kremmling then Granby. This seems like a punt as it's way too far around. If I didn't have the performance to go elsewhere, this would be a good option.
Thence... From Granby via the usual ROLLINS PASS and back to KAPA.
B.) from KAPA to KGUC, a route I have never flown except for the first two passes...
- Wilkerson Pass
- Trout Creek Pass
- Poncha Pass
- Marshall Pass (CPA advises against Monarch - too long and tortuous)
- Down into KGUC
Anyone have experience with some of these passes? Obviously winds at 12k and other general weather will have to be favorable. Winds aloft are pretty dead this time of year but we'll see.
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