I am planning a trip sometime in 2018 between FTG (Denver) and SJC. I have my rough route planning below, hitting a few interesting landmarks along the way and adding in a stop at MRY and some coastal flying. Airport waypoints so far are generally all paved strips just for simplicity in Foreflight.

In approximately keeping with this circular route, what are some cool places to visit? It could be airports to land at, neat stuff to overfly, or whatever. The more GoPro-worthy the better! A couple Utah backcountry strips could be fun, beyond that I don't really know what else to add.

Also, I know the CO seasonal mountain conditions well enough, but what about CA's? I've heard the Sierras have some wind patterns that kick up at various points throughout the year. Also given the coastal and SW Oregon path, are any times of year more prone to IMC? My flight would happen sometime between late May and end of September. I am not instrument rated, so waiting out some clouds is fine but I'd rather avoid times when it's known to be socked in for days.

Despite the P-Ponk and light weight that will be in my plane, I will generally limit mountain flight to the mornings. I am expecting probably 4 days of flying (2 out and 2 back, with 4-5 days in between) not counting weather delays, so I don't mind deviating from the course and picking my way around. This path plans out to 18 hrs of flight time so far w/o stops.



Let me know what you think would be worth seeing on this trip!

Do you have a specific reason for visiting Mt Home and Twin Falls? Lava fields and sagebrush...

If you fly the week before labor day you can fly over burning man, flying overhead with a go pro is about as close as I'd want to get to it.

whee wrote:Do you have a specific reason for visiting Mt Home and Twin Falls? Lava fields and sagebrush...

I updated the route image; it occurred to me the web version of ForeFlight I grabbed that screenshot from was missing custom waypoints which clarify some things. My intent was to overfly Shasta and Crater Lake, and then make my way over to northern Utah for a family visit in TVY. No real reason for hitting U76 and TWF other than it arcs me up and around some MOA/restricted airspace enroute. I could also try a southern arc from there and pick up I-80 for a while, but I doubt it'll be any more exciting (I've driven it).

Between Crater and TVY I have no plans for anything interesting yet, other than not getting intercepted by an F/A-18. I've also flown the Mt Home to Twin Falls stretch once already when I picked up the plane in Caldwell so it's nothing I'm burning to see. Open to better ideas!

colopilot wrote:

whee wrote:No real reason for hitting U76 and TWF other than it arcs me up and around some MOA/restricted airspace enroute.

There is no reason to do this and the scenery is basically all the same - I'm sure I'll get flamed but pick up flight following and just blast across Nevada through the MOAs. You can usually get routed through the restricted areas, too, if you run into any. For instance, I get through R-4816N/S all the time, even when hot.

How about heady a bit further north and getting a couple of the Idaho strips. Johnson Creek, for example, is a pretty easy one - but is still a beautiful place to visit.

After you leave the coast, head up along the East Trinity Alps from Weaverville, then cut back over the pass on the North side of Mount Eddie to Shasta.

Fly out to the Steens heading East from Crater and land in the Alvord Desert and check out the hot springs, or land at Fields and grab a milk shake.

CFOT wrote:Fly out to the Steens heading East from Crater and land in the Alvord Desert and check out the hot springs, or land at Fields and grab a milk shake.

That was my thought as well.

whee wrote:

CFOT wrote:Fly out to the Steens heading East from Crater and land in the Alvord Desert and check out the hot springs, or land at Fields and grab a milk shake.

That was my thought as well.

Flying the Owyhee River is pretty cool too, as long as you're out that way.

+1 on using flight following and going through the MOAs.

For destinations right on the coast, Shelter Cove in northern CA has lodging and is very scenic. You just have to watch the fog forecasts and plan flights around that. Last I heard, Mendocino has a good shuttle and/or rental car set up that will get you into town.

I'm based on the SF Peninsula but haven't landed at SJC for, literally decades due to the fbo fees and the price of fuel. "GA" there = Gulfstreams. You might consider using Palo Alto or San Jose Reid Hillview (RHV) instead.

Have fun.

CAVU

Building a bit on the suggestions from CFOT and Whee, from Crater Lake come on up to KBDN, spend the night and sample the products a few of our 23 craft breweries. From Bend, head East to Minam Lodge or Reds Horse Ranch then fly up through Hells Canyon. Overnight in Walla Walla where you can enjoy the wares of several local wineries right on the field at KALW and good eating in town. Walla Walla to McCall for the Johnson Creek experience, then on to Twin Falls, Utah and home.

I also have to put in a plug for flying up the Oregon Coast, which is stunningly beautiful, if you don't mind missing Mt Shasta and Crater Lake. If the weather suits, fly up from California to Newport (KONP) then East through the Cascades to KBDN. There are lots of options, and too little time.

Your trip looks fun. I live in Santa Cruz, CA. Half moon bay airport has a great brewery, just a short walk from the airport and just off the water. The flight down from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz and then over to San Jose Airport would be beautiful. If you can go a little more south there is a great flight & car museum at Paso Robles Airport. I would also suggest earlier the better as we call it the June gloom due to the coastal fog we get during that time of year. Have a great trip, here's a pic from yesterday and we had a nice south swell.

Thanks so far! I do like scenery and breweries, so I’ll fiddle with the route and see what that does. Also appreciate the note on June coastal fog. Is that the only typical time? That was my main holdup with heading further up the coast since I’d have to wait for flyable VMC. On the other hand we have an office in Portland, so I suppose getting stuck there a couple days wouldn’t be too bad. They have 8 microbrews on tap in the break room too... hmm. (We still don’t know how they get anything done up there.)

Re: SJC, my employer’s offices are basically next to the airport so it’s convenient that way. I know the airport dropped the landing fees a while back, and I do routinely see piston planes parked out there. I’ll research the FBO costs though and decide if RHV is a better call once I get closer to this.

Also the tip on using flight following for VFR airspace routing is a good one. I deal with the MOA/restricted stuff so infrequently out here that I just never think of using them to get through it. I’ll look at planning this with direct lines through them and worst case have to go around. Besides, circuitous routing opens up other possibilities for places to see.

My trips to SJC are always a commercial flight, but I am hoping to make an annual GA pilgrimage just for the fun of it. I don’t know for sure if that’ll happen though so I want to make the most of this one, within reason.

If you're looking for a Utah strip to camp at, Mexican Mountain is a no-brainer. It's absolutely beautiful, though a tad short at 1400' or so. Not a problem for a Pponk 182. Just plan on flying in/out when its cooler and don't try it if it's windy. Might work between Meeker and Bolinder.

It also looks like you'll fly almost directly over Nokai Dome (near Lake Powell). Another great spot, though it's very narrow in places. Both are quite remote, so plan for that.

If you're anywhere near the south rim of the Grand Canyon, it'd be worth the slight detour to at least fly over Meteor Crater. It's very impressive. About 15 west of Winslow. You can't miss it.

fshaw did a similar route last summer. He started in Northern NY but his west coast swing was very close to your route. I'm sure he would be happy to share some ideas.He just posted a topic on around the campfire on a high school course, so he should be checking the forum frequently.

Pete

I’ve pretty much done that same trip in a 65hp Luscombe and an O200 Luscombe. Like you said, do the Mountain flying early and find some cool spots to hang out when the conditions aren’t to your liking... when you’re flying something like a 65 horse Luscombe you’re well in the “if there’s time to spare -go by air” thing...

I flew the southern part of your route but went via the North Rim and ended up in Colorado City AZ to get fuel - weird vibe in that place...

Definitely cruise around the Moab area - the views are well worth it. Have a great trip!

pburns wrote:fshaw did a similar route last summer. He started in Northern NY but his west coast swing was very close to your route. I'm sure he would be happy to share some ideas.He just posted a topic on around the campfire on a high school course, so he should be checking the forum frequently.

Pete

I had the pleasure of meeting Frank when he spent a night at Twin Oaks here in Oregon. Cool guy.

I think your trip tends too far south

colopilot wrote:

whee wrote:Do you have a specific reason for visiting Mt Home and Twin Falls? Lava fields and sagebrush...

I could also try a southern arc from there and pick up I-80 for a while, but I doubt it'll be any more exciting (I've driven it).

I have landed on it. An engine off landing.

I have a 2200 ft strip just north of Mt Shasta, CA if you want to stop. Have extra beds and we will feed you

Tim

qmdv wrote:I have landed on it. An engine off landing.

Gonna try and avoid that if possible.

I have a 2200 ft strip just north of Mt Shasta, CA if you want to stop. Have extra beds and we will feed you

Tim

Noted! Is it charted? I see a couple private strips just NE of there.

colopilot wrote:

qmdv wrote:I have landed on it. An engine off landing.

Gonna try and avoid that if possible.

I have a 2200 ft strip just north of Mt Shasta, CA if you want to stop. Have extra beds and we will feed you

Tim

Noted! Is it charted? I see a couple private strips just NE of there.

Not charted. Sent you a PM

Tim