I don’t want to start a thread because there’s bound to be one already but of course I can’t find what I need
Which is…getting west to somewhere near Salt Lake City (let’s say from Chicago area) without going over 10,500 if possible. I’d probably use o2 if I go higher for even a few minutes. I’ve heard that you should be 2,000 feet above the peaks and pick a relatively non windy day.
Furthest west-I flew with my dad to Minnesota 50 years ago so I’ve never been in real mountains. I’ll eventually take a mountain flying course though the ones I’ve seen recommended here require some high flying just to get there.
I’ve traced some valley paths using ForeFlight but I don’t trust it since I haven’t been there.
I am looking for a northern route. I see going to Nevada and heading north probably works but that’s likely too hot for me.
Might leave in September or in the spring
Signed,
I’ve flown over the Appalachian “Mountains” so I’m ready for the Rockies
When I went to LA a couple years ago, we stopped at KSVR (then U42) on the way there. We went IFR but unfortunately I don't save filing confirmation emails and don't have a record of the exact route. My route from western ND would be quite a bit north from yours coming from the Chicago area, but the last bit probably makes sense. Take a look at BFF T302 MBW V6 FBR V32 TCH (which does generally follow I-80 as
@NealRomeoGolf mentioned). The IFR MEA is 10,000 until FBR and then 12,000. Safe VFR altitudes are lower. I think the closest terrain to you at 10,500 would be Bountiful Peak at 9,259, a few miles north of V32 as you cross into the valley and need to start descending under the weird-shaped Bravo shelf. Prior to that, the terrain is all below 8,300. The highest point on I-80 is, according to Wikipedia, 8,640 MSL down by Buford (between KLAR and KCYS, well southeast of this route), so you can generally rely on the pavement being at least 2,000 feet below you at 10,500.
Also, remember that the VFR hemispherical rule only applies above 3,000 AGL, so when you're at 10,500 MSL but only 2,500 AGL, you
and other crazy local pilots are not restricted by altitude or direction as you are used to farther east.