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  #1  
Old 12-17-2011, 02:23 PM
Peetie the Pilot Peetie the Pilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 51
Default VFR Routes thru the Rockies

There is a gaggle of RV's that will be making the trip out west to attend the homecoming in 2012. Being flatlanders, we would appreciate any advise about flying thru the "rocks". VFR routes, altitudes etc. We will be approaching from the east at approx. the Muddy Mountain VOR.

Thanks
Peter
RV-9A
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  #2  
Old 12-17-2011, 02:35 PM
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dmaib dmaib is offline
 
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My wife and I flew our old Bonanza from Minnesota to the Pacific NW a few years ago. We basically stuck with Interstate 90 for the trip. As I recall, the highest pass on that route was about 6500 feet. Gorgeous trip.
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  #3  
Old 12-17-2011, 02:37 PM
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Flyfalcons Flyfalcons is offline
 
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Mullan Pass is a good way to go through, though it's a little north of where you're planning on hitting the mountains. From the Rapid City area, angle up toward Gillette and Billings, then follow I-90 until you break out near Spokane. Lots of landing options (emergency and/or refueling) available along the way.
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Last edited by Flyfalcons : 12-17-2011 at 02:39 PM.
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  #4  
Old 12-17-2011, 02:47 PM
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DakotaHawk DakotaHawk is offline
 
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Location: Arlington, WA
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I second the Mullan Pass (MLP) recomendation. Mullan Pass keeps you over I-90 from Montana through Idaho and into Eastern Washington near Spokane. I-90 has plenty of convenient airports if needed.

From Spokane, the terrain flattens out nicely and it's simple to follow the Columbia river through the Columbia River Gorge (easy, low altitude route across the Cascades) into Portland, OR.
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  #5  
Old 12-17-2011, 02:49 PM
Jaknjoan Jaknjoan is offline
 
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Posts: 239
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[quote=Peetie the Pilot;606893]There is a gaggle of RV's that will be making the trip out west to attend the homecoming in 2012. Being flatlanders, we would appreciate any advise about flying thru the "rocks". VFR routes, altitudes etc. We will be approaching from the east at approx. the Muddy Mountain VOR.


If are heading for Casper, Wyoming, my suggestion would be to make Malad City, ID (KMLD) your destination after Casper and shortly after Malad, you could stop in (JER) Jerome, ID for fuel (usually the lowest price in the area) and then continue west to your final destination (7S5), where I live. Full fuel in Jerome will get you to Independence, Oregon, location of the homecoming.

That suggested route takes you over high rolling hills and no intimidating sharp peaks. As a matter of fact, you don't even realize your crossing the Rockies.
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  #6  
Old 12-17-2011, 05:31 PM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
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Location: Corvallis Oregon
Posts: 3,547
Default Laramie Wyoming

I forget the highway that runs East-West there but thats the way we always got to get to Loveland Co from Corvallis (20 miles South of Independance).

The land is flat across Wyoming than we jog up to the valley and cross idaho near Boise.

its a nice trip and you don't have to go above 10k the whole way from memory.

of course going East we get up high and go on O2.

Frank
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  #7  
Old 12-17-2011, 09:56 PM
Peetie the Pilot Peetie the Pilot is offline
 
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Location: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
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Thanks folks for the great info. We will certainly take all info we receive into consideration and hope we can meet up with those who plan on attending the homecoming.

Regards,
Peter
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  #8  
Old 12-17-2011, 10:20 PM
jay.pearlman jay.pearlman is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Port Angeles WA
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Default memories

practice taking pictures from the airplane before you leave and then share you travel pictures with us
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  #9  
Old 12-17-2011, 11:10 PM
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mculver mculver is offline
 
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Location: Redmond, WA
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Since weather may steer you north or south, want to lay out a northern route that will get you there over as low country as possible. Suggest following along via Google Maps, in Satellite view

This is a route that many people seem unaware of; however it's great for low performance planes, and more importantly when the high country has sketch weather. It still has some mountain terrain, though.
  • Navigate across the Plains (or Southern Canada) to Miles City, MT (fuel up here)
  • Direct Lewistown (Fuel stop/hotel about 1 mile from the field)
  • Head towards Great Falls, but stay south, so that you are just north of the mountains to the south of Great Falls. This is obvious on a map.
  • When you intercept Montana highway 200, follow it SW over a fairly low pass to Lincoln. But this is the beginning of the highest country you will traverse.
  • Continue west, still following Hwy 200 to just south of Seeley Lake
  • Go direct St Ignatius, over the two Joco Lakes. BTW, St Ignatius is a great fuel stop, but watch the density altitude!
  • West from St. Ignatius to pick Hwy 200 back up, and more importantly the river that it follows.
  • You are done with high country -- which the I-90 route just south of here is full of.
  • Follow the river all the way across to Lake Pend Oreille/Sandpoint
  • Cut SW to Deer Park, WA (another great fuel stop)
  • Continue SW across Washington State, thru the Gorge along the Columbia to Portland
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  #10  
Old 12-18-2011, 12:03 PM
LarryT LarryT is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Battle Ground, WA
Posts: 426
Default Another reason to stop in St. Ignatius...

...is the Catholic Mission. Unassuming from the outside but inside the wall and ceiling murals are incredible! A priest made them his life's work. He wasn't Michelangelo but it took my breath away.

It is a five minute trip from the airport in the courtesy car.

LarryT
Larry Tompkins
N544WB -6A purchased flying
W52 Battle Ground, WA


Quote:
Originally Posted by mculver View Post
Since weather may steer you north or south, want to lay out a northern route that will get you there over as low country as possible. Suggest following along via Google Maps, in Satellite view

This is a route that many people seem unaware of; however it's great for low performance planes, and more importantly when the high country has sketch weather. It still has some mountain terrain, though.
  • Navigate across the Plains (or Southern Canada) to Miles City, MT (fuel up here)
  • Direct Lewistown (Fuel stop/hotel about 1 mile from the field)
  • Head towards Great Falls, but stay south, so that you are just north of the mountains to the south of Great Falls. This is obvious on a map.
  • When you intercept Montana highway 200, follow it SW over a fairly low pass to Lincoln. But this is the beginning of the highest country you will traverse.
  • Continue west, still following Hwy 200 to just south of Seeley Lake
  • Go direct St Ignatius, over the two Joco Lakes. BTW, St Ignatius is a great fuel stop, but watch the density altitude!
  • West from St. Ignatius to pick Hwy 200 back up, and more importantly the river that it follows.
  • You are done with high country -- which the I-90 route just south of here is full of.
  • Follow the river all the way across to Lake Pend Oreille/Sandpoint
  • Cut SW to Deer Park, WA (another great fuel stop)
  • Continue SW across Washington State, thru the Gorge along the Columbia to Portland
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