Need some flight planning advice

[helitim]

Next week a friend and I will be flying commercial to Indiana to pickup a Cessna 172 and bring back to California. Considering the time of year would you recommend going a northerly or southerly route from KOKK to KLVK?

My first thought is roughly KOKK KFSM KSJN KPRC KWJF AND NORTH TO HOME AT KLVK.

A few years back I made a similar trip starting a bit more south and ending in SoCal. I've never travelled a more northerly track and simply don't know what I don't know.

Your thoughts please

Thank you,

Tim

[Raptor05121]

What kind of 172 is it? Anemic 140hp or big boy 180hp?

[N201MKTurbo]

MBW EVW BAM HZN SWR

[helitim]

Turbo,

Is this an area you are familiar with? The hills just east of Salt Lake look interesting to traverse. Most of the rest of the route looks OK. The 172 we will flying has a 160hp so not exactly a powerhouse but enough to get home with. A powerflow would definitely add some comfort level for the higher altitude performance.

Tim

[Randy_B]

I think Turbo has it right.  Five years ago we made nearly the same flight when we picked up my Mooney in early July.  KOKK, KOTM, KCYS, MBW KRWL, KEVW, KSLC, KENV, KRTS,KTRK, KBLU, KLVK.  Our destination was Stead, NV.  The route kept us at 12.500 or below and over major interstates thru the higher passes.  We only had to dodge a couple rain storms thru central Wyoming.  East of Salt Lake we stayed over I-80 and were just under 12,500, so plenty of clearance.  The Northern route looks like it about 200nm shorter than the Southern route.  What ever route you take it looks like a nice adventure. 

[philipneeper]

Check the jetsam of this time of year, i want to say its a southerly stream. If thats the case i would fly north to avoid the head winds. 

[TTaylor]

North or south of the Uinta Mountains are both good routes with good airports. I would look at the winds and weather to decide which side to go.  I would stay north of Denver for some of the lower passes and less time over the Rockies.  If winds are not a factor the Medicine Bow to Evanston route is along the highway, many airports and few mountains to cross.  I would look at the winds and weather to decide which side to go.  West of SLC out the VFR corridor (unless you are flying IFR) and then I fly HZN and just south of TVL to minimize the crossing time over the Sierra.

[helitim]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Good data there