SoCal to Reno area

[joepilot]

Looking for pointers, please. Prob go into Carson City later this week. 201J (no turbo). 
 

Seems like going up the Central Valley and upwind of the Sierras will be the best ride. Then cut east somewhere before Hangtown and follow the valley Highway 50 transits and over KTVL? Then from the lake, maybe down Spooners Summit Pass into the valley? No higher than 11,500 needed?

 

Or, fly up the Owen's Valley, KHTH, then curve around the highest ranges and in from the east? Arguably a little lower terrain to traverse, but I know if the winds at FL180 are more than 30 kts, the Owens Valley will be a washing machine. 
 

I've been into Reno a lot with the big plane, and have gotten my ass kicked many times. So I'll only go in there with a little single engine if the weather is perfect.
 

Thanks for any advice!

 

-Joe

KCCB 

[varlajo]

55 minutes ago, joepilot said:

Looking for pointers, please. Prob go into Carson City later this week. 201J (no turbo). 
 

Seems like going up the Central Valley and upwind of the Sierras will be the best ride. Then cut east somewhere before Hangtown and follow the valley Highway 50 transits and over KTVL? Then from the lake, maybe down Spooners Summit Pass into the valley? No higher than 11,500 needed?

 

Or, fly up the Owen's Valley, KHTH, then curve around the highest ranges and in from the east? Arguably a little lower terrain to traverse, but I know if the winds at FL180 are more than 30 kts, the Owens Valley will be a washing machine. 
 

I've been into Reno a lot with the big plane, and have gotten my ass kicked many times. So I'll only go in there with a little single engine if the weather is perfect.
 

Thanks for any advice!

 

-Joe

KCCB 

Your KTVL route works well, but you can also continue a bit further east, cross Luther Pass, and swing north towards KMEV. Another alternative is KAUN KBLU Donner Pass KTRK and then Spooner Summit Pass again. 11500 is plenty for any of those routes.

Personally, I would not take Owens Valley route.  

Edited Tuesday at 05:00 AM by varlajo

[joepilot]

Thanks for the Luther Pass option!

[Ragsf15e]

10 hours ago, joepilot said:

Thanks for the Luther Pass option!

I don’t mind Owens valley route if the winds aloft are low and it’s morning.  I’m with you for avoiding it if it’s windy.

Mountain West aviation has always been good to me at CXP. I’m there a lot.  They can usually find hangar space if desired and Enterprise will drop off there.  They are the FBO on the Northwest corner of the airfield.  Lots of tiedowns there too.

Be advised that both MEV and CXP are pretty busy in good weather and there are gliders all along the mountains there.  It’s not uncommon to see some of those ultralight death traps with kite wings strapped to an old sidecar in the pattern at CXP too.  Occasionally they have a handheld radio.

[joepilot]

Ok, thank you! Good info. 

[MooneyMitch]

13 hours ago, joepilot said:

Seems like going up the Central Valley and upwind of the Sierras will be the best ride. Then cut east somewhere before Hangtown and follow the valley Highway 50 transits and over KTVL? Then from the lake, maybe down Spooners Summit Pass into the valley? No higher than 11,500 needed?

My preferred route too.  Mornings preferred for less turbulence...............all weather dependent of course. 

[Coachella Bravo]

I got my pilots license at Truckee in 1980.  Regardless of routes, the most important factor is to travel in the AM, the earlier, the better.

Truckee has an awesome airport !!  Now even a CT and atis !!

[Bolter]

I have flown into the area a few times from my old base in SoCal, and always planned both routes, and confirmed my choice based on the actual weather that day.  Always give yourself options, including cancelling. 

If Truckee is "Reno Area", I flew there around Thanksgiving, and it was a good GA airport.  More than one rental car company across the street, which is very convenient.  An exceptional website for pilots, emphasizing safety.  https://pilots.truckeetahoeairport.com/flight-planning.html  

-dan

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Coachella Bravo said:

I got my pilots license at Truckee in 1980.  Regardless of routes, the most important factor is to travel in the AM, the earlier, the better.

Truckee has an awesome airport !!  Now even a CT and atis !!

And free bicycles.

[Coachella Bravo]

And one of the best Web Cams for an airport anywhere

https://truckeetahoeairport.com/webcam

[N201MKTurbo]

14 minutes ago, Coachella Bravo said:

And one of the best Web Cams for an airport anywhere

https://truckeetahoeairport.com/webcam

Nobody is flying VFR through there today!

 

[Thedude]

I'll usually go up the valley and cut right around KTRK. Highway 80 is pretty straight (compared to 50) 4 lane road that goes through a lower section in the mountains, and it goes TRK to pretty much the Carson valley.

[N201MKTurbo]

16 minutes ago, Thedude said:

I'll usually go up the valley and cut right around KTRK. Highway 80 is pretty straight (compared to 50) 4 lane road that goes through a lower section in the mountains, and it goes TRK to pretty much the Carson valley.

That's what I have done in the past. 

BTW, my worst turbulence encounter in 6000 hours of flying was right around there. But that day the winds at 10000 feet were 70 KTS out of the west.

[joepilot]

I have back-up airline tickets.

Probably going into RNO now, actually. I'll decide in the am. 

Webcams up on Mt Rose, too

Thanks 

[joepilot]

The I-80 route looks good. 

But today it's gonna be the airlines for me. Not perfect weather for me in a single engine, non turbo, non ice, 4 cylinder little plane. Plus the Jetstream is supposed to move in for my return, and I don't like the winds aloft forecast. 
 

Meanwhile, I'll keep wishing for a Meridian, or Silver Eagle turbine P210, or a turbine LX-7, while a fat guy and a baby are next to me on SWA!! (First on DL for the return, thank God!)

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, joepilot said:

The I-80 route looks good. 

But today it's gonna be the airlines for me. Not perfect weather for me in a single engine, non turbo, non ice, 4 cylinder little plane. Plus the Jetstream is supposed to move in for my return, and I don't like the winds aloft forecast. 
 

Meanwhile, I'll keep wishing for a Meridian, or Silver Eagle turbine P210, or a turbine LX-7, while a fat guy and a baby are next to me on SWA!! (First on DL for the return, thank God!)

I would do it today. I didn’t look at the weather south, but KTRK looks very doable.