Minden  -  Standard Course  "A"

300 km  Out & Return    Photo & GPS   7.5' Quad   v2.1     05-06

Typical Flight Path:   Work to altitude over the Pine Nut Range and then work south to Bald Mtn #1 at the south end of the Pine Nuts.  Reach for East Sister Peak at the north end of the Sweetwater range, then to Bald Mtn. #2 (at the south end of the Pine Grove Hills).  Fly east to Mt. Grant and there gain enough altitude to cross Walker Lake to the Gillis Range, north of the highway from Hawthorne to Luning, working east past the north end of the Pilot Mtns (east of Luning).  At this point, gain enough altitude to reach out to the turn point and return to safe landing points at Luning or Gabbs.   On return leg, retrace course to the west end of the Gillis Range and have enough altitude to achieve the west side of the Wassuk range north of Mt. Grant.   The Wassuk can yield the final climb allowing for final glide through the gap on the Pine Nuts north of Mt. Siegel.  Otherwise, use a southerly deviation to use high ground at the north end of the Pine Grove Hills and Desert Creek Peak to reach the gap south of Bald Mtn #1. Note: Cloud patterns often dictate significant deviations from this "typical" flight path.

Airports along the course (keep at least one in reach):  Flyin' Mouse, Rosaschi Dusters, Sweetwater Strip, Flying M (Hilton Strip), Hawthorne, Luning Dry Lake (not an airport).  Also, possibly Mina (well south of course) and Gabbs (well north of course).  On the return leg, Yerington may also be a useful alternate airport

Some possible weather peculiarities:  Cool, stable airflow at lower levels south of Walker Lake; strong southwest wind at lower levels at Wellington and Smith Valley late in the day.

Traffic cautions:   Turn point is in GABBS SOUTH MOA and essentially directly under Military Training Routes IR206-280 and IR264.

Course Design:   Bob Semans