This leg raises only a few navigation problems, especially in its very beginning and its very end. Most of it follows Colorado River; unfortunately it does not reach as far the Grand Canyon, but there are some interesting segments along the valley. So, if "airborne canyoning" is your thing, make sure you don't use the 747 on this leg.
Personally I used the PC12 (again) because of the dirt runway at the destination, while anything slower would be just too slow on the initial part of the leg, which is to be flown really high (remember my C172 mistake from the previous leg?).
If possible, take off from runway 21, otherwise make an initial 180 turn back over the airport, because it's part of the orientation clues. Locate and follow a road running south past the airport, while climbing at 10500ft.
Note a power line on the right, because this is NOT where we are heading. The road splits and the right-hand variant follows the power line up across the mountainside; from this point, follow the left-hand variant towards the far end of the valley.
Note another road junction, near the end of a power line (it is not the same we left earlier). Follow the road on the left, along the power line. Although the terrain does not make it obvious, we are now out of the North Platte River, following another river downstream.
The road is easier to follow than the river itself. A lake appears ahead, but before reaching the lake we reach Mc Elroy airport (20V). The airport is located behind a mountain peak so it will only get visible as you get abeam it.
At McElroy, the valley seem to continue right ahead but in fact it turns right following a narrow and intricate canyon. Make sure you do turn right at the proper location, and then follow the valley downstream at your best. The terrain makes it rather difficult, in some spots it is difficult to tell the "upstream" from the "downstream", but you should use the available clues:
- The general orientation of the main valley to the southwest;
- The overall look of the terrain (look further than just the next valley bend)
- The vegetation and more generally the texture, in my case it was natural to guess that snowy terrain is "up" while grassy terrain is "down" (but this depends on the season of course).
- One particular detail may help, at some point the river flows past a bunch of red rocks that look very differently from the remaining of the terrain nearby.
While doing so, we reach Eagle Regional airport (KEGE), normally you should see it on your left but, if you miss the main valley as I did, you may reach it from the east and fly over it. In all cases, being located in relatively large grassy and flat terrain within the mountains, it should be easy to spot so if in doubt just fly towards it.
The valley (we talk about Colorado River by now) continues to the west, much easier to follow as well as the highway and railroad running along it. After crossing another valley portion sided by red rocks, the terrain becomes lower so it's possible to descend to 7500ft.
At some point note a tributary flowing from the south, and Glenwood Springs airport (KGWS) within that valley.
Further east, the valley becomes wider as we reach Garfield Regional airport (KRIL). It is now possible to descend to 6500ft.
Next we reach Grand Junction, a relatively large city with an airport (KGJT) having two runways in a "V", then the smaller town of Fruita.
The valley bends left, near the smaller Mack Mesa airport (C07). It is time now to leave the highway and follow the river into the canyonlands. In the beginning, the railway remains close to the river (unlike the highway), and then it leaves the river too. Fortunately, shortly afterwards the river becomes wider (and thus rendered in FS as a water body) so it is very easy to spot and follow.
Note the town of Moab high above the river on its left bank, then the Tangri-La airport (UT68) right down along the river. You may descend to 5500ft, BUT only if you are in for a rather intense canyon low flying party. The river becomes narrow, and so does the valley, so make sure you don't "miss" any turn. Navigation is not an issue though: although there are a few secondary valleys in the area, only one has a river inside and this one you should follow.
After this narrow segment, the river becomes wider again as it flows into Powell Lake. From this point, there is little to note about the landscape. Bullfrog Basin airport (V07) is clearly visible on the right bank of the river (and quite busy with AI GA traffic as I flew past it). From the same spot, Cal Black Memorial airport (U96) is less visible on the opposite bank as it is a little further from the river.
A tall mountain becomes clearer and clearer visible ahead; it is Navajo Mountain where the destination of this leg is located. If you are cruising at 5500ft at this point, do not forget this is below the airport elevation.
There are several possible approaches; the one I preferred is around Navajo Mountain. Continue along Powell Lake. When reaching the southern arm of the lake, continue downstream to the southwest and climb to 7000ft. As soon as current altitude allows, turn left aside Navajo Mountain western side. Turn around the mountain east then northeast, up to the large plateau located east of the summit. At this point, be on the lookout because the runway should appear in sight shortly (close to the mountainside, not the far end of the plateau).