Phoenix Loop: Canyon Overflights, Lake Mead, & Golden Hour Cruise

Launching out of South Valley (U42) at 7:01 AM, I set out on a full-day cross-country time-building trek across the Southwest.

Routing southeast over Moab (KCNY) offered my absolute favorite aerial perspective of the red rock canyon terrain before continuing over the blue expanse of Lake Powell into Page Municipal Airport (KPGA).

Sweeping morning views crossing the Grand Canyon on the way south.

Phoenix Turnaround & The Ramp Search

Crossing the Grand Canyon again, I pushed south into the Phoenix basin, landing at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT).

While fueling went quickly, finding an open restroom on the airport property with a full bladder turned into a major quest—dancing around the ramp and transient parking took far longer than the actual pit stop!

The western edge of the Grand Canyon on my second loop southbound.

West to Lake Mead & Sunset Departure

Heading northbound out of Arizona, I altered my route west toward St. George (KSGU) to track past Lake Mead on my left wing.

Legs riding shotgun on the dash during the golden hour departure from St. George.

I touched down at St. George just as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. Legs—the yarn octopus crocheted by my daughter Megan as a Christmas gift, who lives in my flight bag and rides on the dash for solo flights—caught the warm, golden-hour light as we prepped for the final leg.

Chasing the fading evening light back into the Salt Lake Valley to wrap up a 10-hour flying day.

Taking off from St. George into the evening glow, I tracked north along the Wasatch Front, touching down back at U42 at 5:13 PM to complete an incredible 10-hour journey.