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From: ths@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: crossing the rockies
Message-ID: <27441@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 20-Jun-85 11:08:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: lanl.27441
Posted: Thu Jun 20 11:08:49 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Jun-85 11:08:35 EDT
References: <195@dcdwest.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 51

> 
> I'm in the initial planning stages for a round robin cross country
> from San Diego to Michigan sometime in late spring '86 in a C177RG.
> Would greatly appreciate mail from anyone who has crossed the
> rocky mountains in a light plane as regards the best places to
> cross (read lowest MEA's), where the safest (read widest) VFR
> passes are etc.
> 
> Phil Blais

You are in luck Phil!  There are a number of routes, particularly from
San Diego to the midwest that have very reasonable MEAs.  Comming out of
SAN you could go directly east via PHX and never have to climb more than
8,000.

A more scenic route would be to head northeast to Prescott and try some
of their home made biscuits for breakfast.  Then head out via V-12 across
Sedona and Meteror Crater.  Drop low  (but not too low) over the painted
desert and fly down US 40 thru Gallup. The cliffs there are quite orange
in the early morning.

At this point you could go into ABQ or angle northeast and stop in Santa Fe.
Spend a night or two there. Much to see and Jim Hayes of Santa Fe Aviation
is always a soft touch for transportation (tell him I sent you).

Departing southeast for about 20 miles before heading northeast again you
do  not have to climb to more than 9,500 to clear the southern edge of
the Sangre DeCristo range and then it is all down hill to Michigan.

You can complete the entire flight without going above 11,000 MSL.  Take
a good 35 mm camera and remember to fly "very" early in the morning.

Of course you could work your way more north into the Grand Canyon and
monument valley. But then you would either have to drop back south again
to have good terrain clearance or go up to 13,000 to cross Cumbres Pass
(10,500) and La Veta Pass (10,000).

I haven't had much experience east of Kansas so I'll leave that route of the
flight to our net.flatlander pilots.

Remember, if you are traveling during the months of March, April and May,
the winds can get very challenging in the afternoons. Plan on being on
the ground by noon until you clear the rockies.  Don't tempt the spring
storms either!

One more thing, remember that you engine is going to loose 25% to 40% of it's
rated power at 7,500 MSL.  Make sure you understand density altitude and
preferrably have a high altitude check out by a qualified CFI.

Ted Spitzmiller
Los Alamos NM