O.K.,

All pilots like to give advice and this is the place to find the very best....so

In the next week or two I will be ferrying a Maule M-5-180-C from Missouri to Mt. Vernon, Washington on behalf of a humanitarian organization.

I've flown a bit of mountian stuff...over it and within it. I do not consider myself a mountain pilot by any means but have done, JC, Moose Creek, Memamoose, Meadow Lake, Sheafer Lake, dirt strips in the Missouri Breaks Natl. Mounument, Grand Canyon airport, Dinzmore, Calif. Glacier Park etc. All of that was pretty easy in my Maule M-5-210-C.

My trip will be about 1,900 miles and VFR as this Maule is not IFR certified. So the plan is to go direct to Billings, MT. I've done that before and no real terrian challenges. Then comes the mountians. From Billings I plan to then parallel I-90 over to about Missoula then Hwy 12 over Pullman, Wash. After that wiggle westward until east of Seattle and then north through the lowlands to Mt. Vernon....just N/E of Whitby Island.

I've flown over those mountains in the summer with good weather and plenty of clearance...3,000 ft. or better. Weather may well prevent that and the strong winds could make it rough, this time of year. Additionally I do not relish "going down" in the mountains anytime....but especially during winter. So I'll be looking for the passes and keeping a hwy. nearby.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Bob

When you get to eastern WA there is a good chance you wont be able to "wiggle" your way over to east of Seattle in VFR because of those pesky little Cascade mountains, unless you happen to make the trip on one of the 3 days that we'll have clear weather here in Seattle Puget Sound area in the next three months. But not all is lost. Plan B would be to head a little south and wiggle your way through the Columbia River gorge and then take a right turn on the western side of the Cascades and head North up to Mt Vernon (Skagit/Bayview) airport. The "Gorge" is a natural slot that allows passage through the Cascade range at low levels. Just beware of some high winds that funnel through the Gorge. (Wind surfing Meca of the NorthWest). Good Luck!

Might want to consider Cheyenne - Rock Springs - Logan Cache - Boise - Lewiston (via Hell's Canyon) and then sort out whether to go over the Cascades or through the Gorge.

Went that route last April (Wichita, Ks to Seattle) and had better weather than what was reported on the route you're thinking about.

Best of luck - sounds like fun!

--Tony

From Billings to Missoula if you for the most part follow the interstate you can make it with fairly low ceilings, once you leave Missoula you will have to get over the Bitterroot and Clearwater mtns. wind and clouds are always an issue in the winter, but lots of flyable days just have to go between weather systems.
As stated previously a southerly route through Boise may be better, in the winter.

Thanks gentlemen,

The Columbia gorge is beginning to look like an attractive option, maybe primary. Is it the general consensus that the southern route, along I-80 typically has better weather than north along I-90?

Either way I could ultimately feed into the Columbia gorge. I would like to stop at Pullman, Wash., if possible, although that isn't imperative. From Pullman it is possible to split southwest toward the Columbia river or continue to wiggle northwest bound....depending on weather.

Thanks for all your help. All thoughts are welcomed.

Bob

If you find yourself in the gorge with lowering ceilings don't forget about Bonneville's power lines they are pretty high.

Around Bonneville Dam if you are flying legal 500 agl you are fine. If you need to be lower than that to be out of the clouds I would ask myself what am I doing?

Bob I am at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge, KTTD. If you need to over night there it is a good spot. 3 year old motel across the street. Restaurants short walk. If I'm not at the fire station I would be glad to meet you for coffee, food. I can show around if you are interested too.

Watch the wind in the gorge it is common to have east or west wind like 25G35 15% chance. Less common 28G39 5% chance. 10kts 75% chance. Calm 5% chance.

Class D 120.9 tower 121.8 ground 135.625 asos 503.492.2887 asos phone#
7-25 25' 5000X150 Gas and tiedowns. North side of the field. Gorge Winds Aviation.

Cheers...Rob

Bob. I like the idea of Rock springs, Burley, stay in the valley When you get in my area S49 a direct route to The Dalles is not bad. Then down the Columbia River Gorge will put you on the west side of the Cascades. And the other guys covered that part. There is one high spot just east of John Day, OR. 8,000 ft. it is close to what they call the Strawberry Mountains. You don't have to go over it as it is 9300'.

I forgot to mention I am still in the Portland, OR. area, or I would invite you to spend the night with me in Vale. I will be back down there about the last week in Feb. If you don't make your trip until then PM me and we can get together.

Bob

Thanks Skybobb and everyone,

Looks like the trip will happen next week leaving on the 18th. Delayed a few days getting out of the shop....missed good weather all the way from here to there: latter half of this week. Shucks!

Appreciate your thoughts, advise and hospitality. All will be taken into consideration.

Bob