Crossing Mt. Shasta / Siskiyous

[rps]

I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
day.

1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
evening?

2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?

3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?

Thanks

[Peter Duniho]

"rps" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
> best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
> day.

True for mountain flying generally.

> 1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
> evening?

It depends. But if you can't make it in the morning, I'd say you're better
off waiting as late in the day as you can. Of course, that ignores what's
going with the weather; there may be reasons other than turbulence and wind
to affect your time of flight, which may suggest an earlier flight rather
than later.

> 2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?

It depends. It certainly could be okay.

> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?

Variable. It can still be quite nice, and the chance of convective activity
is pretty low, even mid-afternoon. On the other hand, it could be quite
cloudy and rainy. By mid-Fall, freezing levels are coming down, and so even
an instrument rating might not get you across safely, if you don't have
deicing on your airplane.

Bottom line: it's a very doable flight, but keep your eye on the weather and
don't push your luck. Be prepared for delays.

But isn't that a valid description for most any general aviation route? :)

Pete

[Seth Masia]

Mt. Shasta tends to make its own weather. In the autumn months, you're past
the worst of the convective stuff but look for the cloud cap. If it's a
lennie, you've got high winds aloft and turbulence on the lee side -- cross
on the upwind side. In general early mornings are best because of lighter
winds, denser smoother air. What are you flying, and what's your service
ceiling?

Seth

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "rps" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>>I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
>> best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
>> day.
>
> True for mountain flying generally.
>
>> 1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
>> evening?
>
> It depends. But if you can't make it in the morning, I'd say you're
> better off waiting as late in the day as you can. Of course, that ignores
> what's going with the weather; there may be reasons other than turbulence
> and wind to affect your time of flight, which may suggest an earlier
> flight rather than later.
>
>> 2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?
>
> It depends. It certainly could be okay.
>
>> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?
>
> Variable. It can still be quite nice, and the chance of convective
> activity is pretty low, even mid-afternoon. On the other hand, it could
> be quite cloudy and rainy. By mid-Fall, freezing levels are coming down,
> and so even an instrument rating might not get you across safely, if you
> don't have deicing on your airplane.
>
> Bottom line: it's a very doable flight, but keep your eye on the weather
> and don't push your luck. Be prepared for delays.
>
> But isn't that a valid description for most any general aviation route?
> :)
>
> Pete
>

[Bob Gardner]

As a practical matter, you are not going to "cross" Mount Shasta. To do so
would make no sense at all. But you must consider its influence on flight
conditions on either side. V-23 worked very well for me on a number of
occasions, during all seasons and all times of day. I don't think that there
is a "best time" that you can depend on.

Bob Gardner

"rps" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
> best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
> day.
>
> 1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
> evening?
>
> 2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?
>
> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?
>
> Thanks
>

[RST Engineering]

With any kind of visible moisture, the conventional wisdom in Northern
California is that Mt. Shasta is the best icemaker in the country.

Jim


>> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article . com>,
"rps" > wrote:

> I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
> best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
> day.
>
> 1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
> evening?
>
> 2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?
>
> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?
>
> Thanks


I/ve been by Shasta a few times -- all in clear wx. Watch the winds
aloft and the ceilings and wx systems. The Weather Channel is a good
overall reference here.

Stay on the windward side of Shasta and the other mountains and postpone
the trip if you have aloft winds above 15 kt.

High winds can result in mountain wave conditions, which tend to be
smooth and add updrafts on the windward side of mountain ranges, but can
make SEVERE turbulence on the lee sides. Lenticular clouds indicate
mountain wave conditions. Watch out for the rotor clouds on the lee
sides.

[Rob]

RST Engineering wrote:
> With any kind of visible moisture, the conventional wisdom in Northern
> California is that Mt. Shasta is the best icemaker in the country.
>
> Jim


Second only to the Continental O-200 maybe.

-R

[Mike Rapoport]

"rps" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I understand from several postings in various threads here that the
> best time to cross the Siskiyous comfortably is early or late in the
> day.
>
> 1) What would be the best time to cross in the late afternoon or early
> evening?
>

Flying early or late is less important in the fall (or winter/spring) as
there is less heating of the surface with all the associated thermals,
turbulence and wind changes. Here in ID during July and August, the window
for comfortable mountain flying is only a few hours each day but by November
you can fly any time during the day. In addition to the daily effect you
obviously have to consider the general weather that day (winds aloft,
moisture ect.).

> 2) Would it be okay to cross about 3 hours before sunset?

Yes.

> 3) What is the weather like between late September and early November?
>

Varies a lot! Could be cold clear and smooth or thunderstorms or a
blizzard!

Any IMC will almost certainly contain ice that time of year.

Mike
MU-2