Best route to Bryce Canyon

Planning trip from Chicago to Bryce Canyon looking for best route and advice.

One option:

Chicago to La Junta Colorado (KLHX) then towards Cuchara Valley (07V)..over the mountains to the next valley then southwest towards Jicarilla Apache Nation (24N) over another set of mountains.

Then west, south of Durango (DRO), fly through Monument Valley (near UT25) then to Bryce Canyon.

You can do another path a bit north towards Pueblo (KPUB), Fremont County (1V6), Salida (KANK), over a short section of mountains then work your way west. This one puts you close to Leadville.

Do read up on mountain flying and be cautious of high winds.

http://flash.aopa.org/asf/mountainFlying/

You are also close to the Grand Canyon. Consider getting the Grand Canyon map and fly over it.

Car rentals, food, lodging,etc.

http://www.rubysinn.com/airport.html

Bryce Canyon airport has a good runway & modern FBO. There are also shuttles in the park (depending on season), but I still use a vehicle, and usually travel to numerous vantage points...........to the end of the park road. And of course, it looks great from the air, too.

And if you do fly over the Monument Valley route, then be sure to fly over a portion of Lake Powell also...........which you'd have to, anyway.

I like this area so much, that I'll include Page, Arizona, and the border of the Grand Canyon to the west. The Colorado/Green River, Dead Horse Point, Moab area to the east. And on up to Zions Canyon to the north.

Another option that could minimize issues with mountains is heading west to Laramie WY then soon thereafter southwest to Bryce.

stop by for lunch

Ron,
If you get near Aspen, Glenwood Springs, or Rifle, let me know and I will meet you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Best route

I think the best route is via KHHR, and pick me up.