Here's my rule: If you have to think about ANY landing site that much.....go land somewhere else.

There's a big difference in takeoff distance between a true soft field takeoff and the average short field takeoff. Soft surfaces REALLY lengthen your takeoff run.

FWIW.

MTV

Very true. When I was flying my 150 I figured 50% longer take off run for a rough turf runway vs. pavement.
And even as light as the challenger is, a foot of soft snow nearly doubles my take off run on skis.

HARD sand, big Tricycle??? Thanks Don!!