I'll be making my first crossing of the Sierras into Nevada and was wondering if there are any reasonable routes in a Cessna 120 besides going south to Bakersfield and then over to Mojave.

Thanks for the advice!

Jim
Depends a bit on where you are headed for.
I used to cross into S. Lake Tahoe in an 85ph J5 with a bit over 8,000. Used to camp at Alpine County strip.
Just go EARLY, before any "east-side" down drafts develop. Take some glider lessons and learn to find slope and ridge lift.

I've crossed just by following I-80, even in the heat of the day, in a 172. You just have to be patient and take the time to climb to 10,000 + or experiment with thermals or ridge lift. Don't start the crossing though until you're up to altitude.

Also, I have no illusions about landing on I-80, it's just that I'd hope to be rescued after ditching somewhere nearby, as the terrain is preferable to the inhospitable terrain south of the freeway. You kind of just have to pucker up and go for it.

You are in the Placerville area right? Highway 50 through S.Lake or 80 to Truckee, and over to the east side is probably the safest for you with the least exposure time. I have done several crossings in very low powered planes. Go with 1/2 tanks or less and tank up on the other side at Carson City or Minden. Even though they are at about 4500, you don't have much of a lower and closer place. Any west wind and the east side will beat the living crap out of you.

Go EARLY, sunrise early. Little to no wind. One check you might want to try. One morning climb to 9000' over your home airport with roughly the same forecast temps as the time you plan on crossing. If you can make 9000' establish Vy and note your VSI. Anything less than 200' fpm climb and I would seriously suggest you make it another day, go south to Tehachapi, or try for at least 10k.

The summer in the Sierras is a tough time to cross for anyone, especially in a 120.

Thank you, all! I will take your advice seriously.

Jim

I live on the east side of the rocks now, and the guys are right, you want to be up and over real early morning during the summer months in something like a C120.

My rule in the gutless wonder I'm flying now is in the air by 0600, and on the ground drinking beers by about 0900. Any later and it'll beat the shit out of you. Like Zane said, follow the roads. Not so much for a place to land, but for an audience to watch you stuff it in the tree tops if something breaks, and call the ambulance and TV crews for you.

This neck of the woods your choices are Hwy 50, Hwy 80, or Hwy 70 up thru Feather River. All beautiful routes, and fun trips in calm air.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Like Zane said, follow the roads. Not so much for a place to land, but for an audience to watch you stuff it in the tree tops if something breaks, and call the ambulance and TV crews for you.
Gump

That's actually pretty good advise anytime your flying near your ceiling and close to terrain. Most of the time those roads were built in wagon train passes that were the lowest terrain through the hills, not to mention the fact that the habitat on the roads might be more likely to get you help than the audience you'd attract in the bottom of a creek or riverbed.

I cross them up to 160 times a year, there are several places you can stay low but you wont be found if you have trouble.

Splashpilot has very good advise, find out what your bird is capable of first. I wouldn't plan on Carson for a fuel stop though you will be sorry you have to loose all that altitude.

It would be helpful if I knew where you were wanting to go. Get has high as you can, don't be lured into thinking lower is better.

Leave at 5:30 climb like a homesick angel and you will have a very smooth and rewarding flight.

Gump had his 120 all over hell and back, If he didnt need to carry more beer he would still be flying it.

Mr. Scout,
Thanks for your advice, as well as all the rest of you! If you're interested in where I'm going, I'm planning Grand Junction, CO, via Sedona and anything pretty and fun in between. I was thinking that it would be more interesting to fly down the east side of the Sierras than the west and cross at Tehachapi.
Being a Florida boy, low and slow over the beauties of The West will be a beautiful change.

Any suggestions on a complete route would be welcome, as well. I'd really like to see and experience something special.

I see that Diana in "Flying to California Low and Slow" has what appears to be a nice route eastbound via 10 Bar Ranch and Sedona. I was thinking of doing the same thing. Whada y'all think?

Thanks!

Jim

There's something about a flight across empty country in a tiny, underpowered plane that's simply magical. I highly recommend it...the rewards are, for some reason, higher than for those who fly larger, more capable birds. That said...

I assume you're flying solo. If not...er...I guess I don't recommend it. I really don't think crossing the Sierra's is going to be that big a deal. It's a short trip, even in a 120, and if you're not too heavy I don't think you'll have any problem, so long as you pick your day and time.

I'd be a lot more focused on the country east of the Sierra's. It's big, it's hot, it's a convective playground, and it's vivisected by a seemingly endless series of high mountain ranges that run north-south. Weather forecasting and reporting typically sucks. Radio communication and flight following are usually unavailable at the altitudes you'll be able to reach. Fuel stops are few and far between, and they are often higher (DA) than the Sierra passes you'll fly through to get there. You can't get to where you're going in the cool of the day unless you have a lot of days or you're willing to fly at night. Big chunks of any given day might be only suitable for flying a hammock.

I'm sure you can do it, but it requires some very careful planning, and the Sierra's aren't your biggest challenge. Fuel stops need to be researched ahead of time...a down pump can easily stick you in nowheresville for days. Cardlock fuel is not the norm, and lots of towns simply don't offer fuel on Sunday. Be prepared to sleep under your wing...even plan on it. Weight is a big deal, especially with all the water you should be carrying with you. Climbing to cruise altitude typically involves half an hour of circling a hill next to the airport, as climbing enroute over the playa is impossible.

With limited fuel capacity and anemic climb performance you inevitably end up doing heroic climbs to clear terrain, only to descend to the next fuel stop without getting any of the mileage out of your hard earned altitude. Military air space conspires to make direct-line flying impossible and deviations for weather loathsome...plan accordingly.

After my sixth trip across Nevada in a Cessna 140 I finally had absolutely no doubt that in the event of a forced landing, I'd never be found, flight plan or not. I bought a PLB and now consider it essential equipment for crossing the Great Basin. You should too.

On the plus side, flying across the Great Basin is a real treat. Just do all your homework before you go, pack ultra light, and give yourself plenty of time. You won't regret it.

You can ship "stuff" for very little money to your point of landing after the crossing. That way it's only you and survival gear over the mountains.

a64pilot wrote:You can ship "stuff" for very little money to your point of landing after the crossing. That way it's only you and survival gear over the mountains.

My wife actually does that when we fly commercially. Some airlines are charging 25.00 for the second bag and she has also had bags weighing more than 50 # for which they charge a premium. (No John it's not heavy because of guns or ammo ) UPS a few days ahead of time, directly to the hotel we are staying at.

jmtgt wrote:
Some one say GUNS?????

Speaking of guns I think I am heading up to Soldier Meadows. I hear they are over run with Coyotes. :

Damn I have got to get that .30 mounted on the Scout all this belted ammo just going to waste

Here's a good reminder of why it pays to have some hardball within range when trolling around these parts. This guy did a great job of making it to about the only hospitable landing surface in the the area, assuming of course that making it back to the runway wasn't an option...

http://www.theunion.com/article/2008051 ... ile=search

I bet he buys beers for the drivers that cleared him a path for quite some time, hope he bought lottery tickets after that.