Flying into Vail (KEGE) from the Southeast

SCCutler

SCCutler

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Spike Cutler
Wife wants to fly to Vail (KEGE) - from Dallas, there is a lot of terrain as one gets close.

Any suggestions on best routing to get to KEGE from the southeast without excessive altitude; would prefer to avoid O2 if at all possible.
 
Never flown to Eagle, but to Aspen from Austin a number of times. Head up to the vicinity of Trinidad, CO, then over the pass just west of La Veta (around 9000'). Then up the Saguache Valley and over North Pass (10149') to Gunnison. Fly west and then northwest over the highway to Grand Junction. Pick up I-70 there and east over Rifle and into Eagle. You can cut the corner short of Grand Junction as much as you choose. This can all be done at 12,500 or below, with North Pass being the highest point in the trip.

This is all VFR, of course. IFR MEAs are all in the O2 altitudes. I wouldn't think of making this trip in the winter, when winds are up and weather more iffy.
 
Let me add, this is one of the most spectacular trips you will ever take.
 
Fly into Grand Junction, rent a car.
Fly into Rifle KRIL, rent a car.
Fly into Rifle, follow I70 east, be very careful.

If you are not familiar with Density Altitude, be even more careful.
If you're not comfortable with non-flatland terrain, take the more flat route.

LaVeta pass is 9k, fly it at 12k and the peaks will still be above you. Nate, I and others prefer Mosca Pass, same altitude, wider, less time " in the pass ", and you end up over Great Sand Dunes Natl Monument. But, if you follow the road over to GJT, you'll be in mountainous area where you don't have as many options. Go take a look at the Denver sectional.

I'd recommend a more southerly route, heading toward KSAF then up to GJT or RIL then east to Vail.
 
Once you make it to Grand Junction or Rifle, ASE or EGE is not at all hard. Best early in the day, PM winds can pick up along with monsoonal flow in August. You can also fly to Montrose area and come up McClure pass to Carbondale, then easy hop over cottonwood pass to EGE.
 
Montrose, McClure pass, over Carbondale, Cottonwood pass, EGE is a good route early in the day. With the terrain rising like it does McClure will have clouds in the afternoon if there is much moisture.

Glenwood is not an alternate unless you're on your game for nailing your spot on landing and familiar with getting max power at high DA for departure. Rifle is much easier.

If you're in the hills be on the ground by noon. You'll see the cumulus building and understand the advise.

There is a route, the really long way around, that will let you stay low. I know of at least one pilot from Texas who would still be alive (along with his family) if he'd taken it. Rocks are nothing to mess around with when there is weather and you are in a spam can.
 
What is the OP flying? I know the area well as I am based at ASE.
 
Not sure this will help but the 3 times I aborted an entry into the mountains there was:
-'holy crap' moments within 20miles of the valley/pass. Very uncomfortable turbulence in which pax were 'concerned'. You just know, when that happens, that it's time for plan B. Even if you were alone and 'could make it' - one considers pax comfort at all times.
-again, 20mi before entering mountainous terrain, sustained 1500fpm sink (and I have 300hp). Buh-bye.
-once this summer, I bypassed a planned mountain airport stop because the DA was 9K and I was heavy, the one-way runway did not favor a comfortable arrival.
Of course there were many times I scrubbed before going to the airport.
 
SCCutler said:
Wife wants to fly to Vail (KEGE) - from Dallas, there is a lot of terrain as one gets close.

Any suggestions on best routing to get to KEGE from the southeast without excessive altitude; would prefer to avoid O2 if at all possible.
Click to expand...
If you can get here this weekend (Aug 5), Colorado Pilots is running the High Alt Airport/Mtn Flyin ground school (all day) and flying the next day with an experienced mtn CFI. Or stop in either New Mexico or Denver at your convenience and work with an experienced mtn CFI. New Mexico Pilots Association specializes in general mtn flying in the west with specifics about NM flying, CPA does the same but with specifics about CO flying.

The CPA route is KAPA/KBJC (either one) NW to Granby, Steamboat Springs, Vail (but not a stop unless you want to pay the fee), Glenwood Springs (one-way airport), near Aspen, backtrack north around to Leadville (with a stop to get your certificate that you landed at the highest paved airport in CONUS), down thru the valley, turn east and back to whence you came. Counts as a BFR, too.

Check either group's website for details

www.coloradpilots.org
www.nmpilots.org

Nate, Clark, a few others and I can recommed experienced mtn CFIs in the area if you prefer to do that.
 
I went up there from KADS about a year ago. IFR routing sucks TEX5.ROLLS AVVVS RLG
 
If the Denver winds @ 12000 are greater than 25 Knots you start to see some pretty good turbulence, but you don't get the 2000 ft. up and downdrafts too often, and they can be managed, slow down to maneuvering speed an ride it out.
 
I am flying a normally-aspirated V35A Bonanza (285 HP). I have reasonable high DA experience, some in mountains, have a great deal of respect for the process, and I have no interest in doing this except as a VFR flight.
 
Fly to SAF for the night, get up early fly Taos La Veta Pass Montrose McClure Pass Carbondale EGE, usually fairly benign. Check the winds a few days out, watch for cold fronts.
Why EGE and not ASE? Aspen airport closer to town, and town is more fun IMHO
Self serve fuel in EGE is $4.15 now, I fly over from Ase to top off after trips way cheaper than ASE
 
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Luigi said:
Fly to SAF for the night, get up early fly Taos La Veta Pass Montrose McClure Pass Carbondale EGE, usually fairly benign. Check the winds a few days out, watch for cold fronts.
Why EGE and not ASE? Aspen airport closer to town, and town is more fun IMHO
Self serve fuel in EGE is $4.15 now, I fly over from Ase to top off after trips way cheaper than ASE
Click to expand...

He said the wife wants to go to Vail, if momma ain't happy no one is happy:)

KEGE is closer to Vail.
 
ASE is closer to the town of Aspen, EGE is a little further from Vail. Yes, I know all about keeping Momma happy!
 
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