Hi All,

I am looking to fly from the Puget Sound area to the Blue Ridge Mountains within the next month (late August/Early Sept). I was hoping to find advice on how to pass through the first bit of mountain terrain. Specifically, suggested routes and ideal trip planning time.

Much appreciated!

I went from Bellingham through Stevens Pass down to Pendleton. Then followed I-90 to Billings. Then dropped down to overfly the bone yard at Greybull (there’s a cool canyon along that route, and it’s fun to drop down into it). Then East toward Custer’s battlefield (very interesting from the air) and then direct to Winston-Salem.

Stevens Pass may be a good way to get through the Cascades.

PA12_Pilot wrote:and then direct to Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem, NC? If so, this is destination area I am targeting for.

Thank you for the route advice, I will look at those points this AM. What time of year did you travel and what type of plane did you fly?

What are you flying? I just flew from Eastern Washington to Jackson, WY for the week. If you aren’t flying something that can hold perhaps 9500 in the summer it is going to be a long trip. Temps at 7500 were still about 65, which is uncomfortable flying into the sun in the AM. It starts getting bouncy in the late AM. I’d suggest you fly Snoqualmie pass, white pass, or the gorge, then follow I84 to salt lake, then I80. It’s all high altitude, especially in WY. Flying in the afternoons means heat, turbulence, and potentially thunderstorms. Get up as early as you can stand. Be especially aware of density altitude.

Normally I’d suggest I90, but current smoke maps suggest that is unlikely to offer good visibility. I would not have done it on Monday based on what I saw in flight. There are fires all over, so your route choice may be dictated by that as much as anything. See below, and browse the other smoke maps NOAA offers.

https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRR ... ll&adtfn=1

jcadwell wrote:What are you flying? I just flew from Eastern Washington to Jackson, WY for the week. If you aren’t flying something that can hold perhaps 9500 in the summer it is going to be a long trip. Temps at 7500 were still about 65, which is uncomfortable flying into the sun in the AM. It starts getting bouncy in the late AM. I’d suggest you fly Snoqualmie pass, white pass, or the gorge, then follow I84 to salt lake, then I80. It’s all high altitude, especially in WY. Flying in the afternoons means heat, turbulence, and potentially thunderstorms. Get up as early as you can stand. Be especially aware of density altitude.

Normally I’d suggest I90, but current smoke maps suggest that is unlikely to offer good visibility. I would not have done it on Monday based on what I saw in flight. There are fires all over, so your route choice may be dictated by that as much as anything. See below, and browse the other smoke maps NOAA offers.

https://rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRR ... ll&adtfn=1

This sums up many of my concerns. The trip would be made in an early model C172 with a O-300-A engine (145 HP). The goal is to bring the plane home without being foolhardy or hasty.

Where in the Puget Sound?

Getting out of the Puget Sound can be challenging if they get a marine layer and you can't depart IFR. I'd fly south down I5 to Portland, then turn East and fly down the Columbia River gorge if the route has better than 2000 ft ceilings without rain, and lots of visibility.

Are you flying alone? If so, you shouldn't have any problem getting up high enough to cross any of the mountain ranges. I used to own an early 172. On a couple of occasions near gross and really hot on the ground (100 degrees) I'd struggle to get much past 7500.

The altitude, and especially combined with heat, can really wear you out. Just be aware of it, and stay hydrated.

I wouldn't put a lot of time into really specific flight planning. Your plans will likely change, especially on a trip that long. I'm assuming you have a good reason for wanting to fly this 172 that far. It sounds like a great adventure and learning opportunity. Have fun.