Suggestions for scenic routes staying east of Continental Divide?

[polaris]

Hi fellas,

I am a flatlander pilot currently going through mountain training in the Rockies. I plan on going on a solo flight this weekend. My mountain CFI told me he would be comfortable letting me go play in the mountains -- but told me I should stay east of the Continental Divide until I get more training (weather hasn't cooperated, so we haven't crossed the Continental Divide yet). We have done many flights east of the divide, crossing ridges and flying canyons.

With that said, can you recommend any scenic areas while staying east of the Continental Divide? I'd also like to stay within about a 1.5-hour-radius from KBDU.

My recent flight: I flew south from KBDU, staying east of Mount Evans, over Kenosha Pass, hung out over South Park near Fairplay and came back to KBDU. That is as far as I've gone. I don't want to push things too quickly. Does KAEJ keep me east of the Divide? I can't really tell from the sectional. I heard Colorado Springs area is pretty. Where can I see some red rocks? I'd also like to see some snow-capped peaks if I can... but I understand that might be impossible.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

 

[murphey]

If you made it to Fairplay, then one more ridge west (and still east of the Divide) is Buena Vista and Salida (AEJ), just down the road from Leadville. Salida is a great little airport and great little town. Grab one of the crew cars, drive into town and have lunch overlooking the river. But check with your CFI first, as density altitude may be a factor he may not want you to deal with the first time by yourself.

Trip #2 - south to Pueblo and the Weisbrod Museum. You'll be going east of COS (stay out of the R area due east of Class C) and it's a great scenic route past Pikes Peak. Well worth the trip for the food and the museum. Watch out for USAF pilots-who-want-to-be-training, as PUB is the base. But with 2 runways (E-W) and one N-S, not a problem. The tower is very good.

Trip #3 - past Pueblo to Canon City, watch out for the little R area to the west. Unfortunately there are no more crew cars, and a rental is outrageous. But...you can fly over SuperMax and wave to Ted K. Watch out for the USAF pilots-who-want-to-be-training who use the airport for T&G.

For the first flight, I'd suggest PUB. Do the entire trip at 9500 to get over the Palmer Divide (remember to contact Denver Approach and request flight following!!!! and ask nicely for Class B access) With two USAF training facilities (the Academy & PUB) and 3 schools at Centennial and the schools at Erie, Jeffco and Longmont, it's always a good idea to be on flight following. Lots of traffic.

 

[coloradobluesky]

Laramie is a good starting point for mountain flying. Its not really that mountainous but is up there a bit.
Salida, Buena Vista and Leadville are all east of the divide. They are all just about as challenging as going over the divide though.
The key to safety is good weather. If you can hit it on a "high pressure day" or the "day after the storm", crystal clear and no turbulence. Those days are worth waiting for. Learn how to spot them coming up.

 

[Dan H]

I'd second the Laramie route, you're east of the really tall stuff but you get a taste of mountain flying. Fly up and around Medicine Bow peak, it still has alot of snow, it's 12.5k at the peak. Just keep a good eye on the winds, they don't call them the Blowies without reason.

 

[murphey]

One more question...what are you flying?

 

[Clark1961]

My recent flight: I flew south from KBDU, staying east of Mount Evans, over Kenosha Pass, hung out over South Park near Fairplay and came back to KBDU. That is as far as I've gone. I don't want to push things too quickly. Does KAEJ keep me east of the Divide? I can't really tell from the sectional. I heard Colorado Springs area is pretty. Where can I see some red rocks? I'd also like to see some snow-capped peaks if I can... but I understand that might be impossible.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

AEJ is east of the divide and access is about the same as your flight to/over Fairplay.

As for red rocks...from BDU they are directly west/soutwest . The red rocks are outcrops of the Fountain Formation. Exposures can be seen along the foothills between Boulder and Colorado Springs. Flying south along the foothills watch out for the Airforce Academy airspace. If you're on flight following they usually talk to you if you're getting close to any of their sacred airspaces.

Another 1.5 hr trip is to go to SBS. Okay, it crosses the divide but it can be done at 10,500' or below. Go north from BDU until you find the powerlines which run west from the generating plant north of Ft. Collins. Plant and powerlines are on the sectional. Follow the powerlines to Steamboat. Lots of snow in the mountains when I was up there in early May. It's an easy flight and if you mention it to your CFI (s)he should be agreeable. It's always a little bumpy north & west of Ft. Collins - potholes in the sky up there. If you do stop at SBS there is a ramp fee ($5 I think). If you just do a touch-n-go then there is no fee.