Ron Lee
Well Known Member
Today in Colorado was relatively mild and mountain winds were forecast at under 20 knots. A plan was hatched for Stewart and me to bag some airports in west central Colorado. While that is ok, I wanted more. So I looked into flying to Mineral canyon southwest of Moab Utah. An example of the flight is here:
http://www.vimeo.com/1839894
Info on Mineral Canyon:
http://www.swaviator.com/html/issueD99J00/mineral.html
http://www.ourairports.com/airports/US-UT75/
Leaving Meadow Lake we flew north of Pikes Peak to Salida CO (KANK) then west towards Gunnison. Mountains to the north are shown here as we were climbing through 13,000' msl
Just past Gunnison we diverted a bit to fly over Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Then on to Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah which looks similar to the Grand Canyon:
http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm
A short distance further west was Mineral Canyon. Initially I flew near the rim to assess the path and whether I could safely navigate the turns below the rim. I think Stewart went on down during his first pass. Once that was done we descended over the Green River. The sheer cliffs, typically Utah red, long shadows and easy turns below the rim was an experience unlike anything I have ever done before.
We made perhaps four passes total north and south then left to refuel in Grand Junction. From there several more airports including Aspen, past Leadville then home. 5.1 hours and an experience that won't be forgotten. But we did have to give up a breakfast flight to Salida. Now which would I do again?
http://www.vimeo.com/1839894
Info on Mineral Canyon:
http://www.swaviator.com/html/issueD99J00/mineral.html
http://www.ourairports.com/airports/US-UT75/
Leaving Meadow Lake we flew north of Pikes Peak to Salida CO (KANK) then west towards Gunnison. Mountains to the north are shown here as we were climbing through 13,000' msl
Just past Gunnison we diverted a bit to fly over Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Then on to Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah which looks similar to the Grand Canyon:
http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm
A short distance further west was Mineral Canyon. Initially I flew near the rim to assess the path and whether I could safely navigate the turns below the rim. I think Stewart went on down during his first pass. Once that was done we descended over the Green River. The sheer cliffs, typically Utah red, long shadows and easy turns below the rim was an experience unlike anything I have ever done before.
We made perhaps four passes total north and south then left to refuel in Grand Junction. From there several more airports including Aspen, past Leadville then home. 5.1 hours and an experience that won't be forgotten. But we did have to give up a breakfast flight to Salida. Now which would I do again?
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