World Tour 005-Calgary to Billings - Western Canada-USA

Welcome to stage 5 of our around the world sightseeing adventure. First you'll check out the city of Calgary, before heading south into the USA and some of the world's greatest national parks - Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. You'll finish this stage of the journey in Billings, Montana.

See trip in Skyvector

Total Legs: 19     Total Distance: 974     Total Time(125kts): 7 hours 47 minutes

 

Leg 1

Flying from CYYC

Leg Distance: 38.17     Approximate time at 125kts: 18 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

CYYC(CYYC) to Calgary(POI1)

Distance: 5.18NM     Bearing: 203°     2 minutes

 

After takeoff, head southwest to the far side of the downtown area. A left hand circuit will give a good view of the city

 

Calgary(POI1) to Stampede(POI2)

Distance: 3.42NM     Bearing: 106°     2 minutes

 

Keep the city to your left as you turn and head east towards the stadium complex, and then the large rail yard beyond.

 

Stampede(POI2) to Industrial(POI3)

Distance: 3.5NM     Bearing: 145°     2 minutes

 

Follow the railway and the small canal southeast until they intersect with the freeway next to the oil terminal, then follow the freeway south

 

Industrial(POI3) to Interchange(POI4)

Distance: 4.06NM     Bearing: 163°     2 minutes

 

Keep following the freeway south and beyond the large interchange.

 

Interchange(POI4) to Highway 2(POI5)

Distance: 4.98NM     Bearing: 172°     2 minutes

 

Keep following the freeway as it curves around to the right and ends when it meets the main highway. From here we'll leave the road and head south west.

 

Highway 2(POI5) to Sheep River(POI6)

Distance: 8.84NM     Bearing: 223°     4 minutes

 

Head southwest across the farmland until you see a small river, then follow it

 

Sheep River(POI6) to Black Diamond(POI7)

Distance: 4.43NM     Bearing: 202°     2 minutes

 

The river will soon pass the town of Black Diamond. When you pass the golf course and the small lake, you'll be nearly lined up with the runway to your right.

 

Black Diamond(POI7) to FY6(FY6)

Distance: 3.76NM     Bearing: 237°     2 minutes

 

The airfield is just on the north side of the river

 

Leg 2

Flying from FY6

Leg Distance: 70.22     Approximate time at 125kts: 34 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

FY6(FY6) to Longview(POI8)

Distance: 8.47NM     Bearing: 137°     4 minutes

 

After takeoff, head south east until you meet highway 22 leading south to a small town

 

Longview(POI8) to Chain Lakes Reservoir(POI9)

Distance: 14.53NM     Bearing: 166°     7 minutes

 

Follow the road south as it heads through a shallow valley and to the long Chain Lakes Reservoir

 

Chain Lakes Reservoir(POI9) to Highway 22(POI10)

Distance: 9.99NM     Bearing: 156°     5 minutes

 

Keep following the reservoir and the road south

 

Highway 22(POI10) to Highway 22(POI11)

Distance: 10.2NM     Bearing: 155°     5 minutes

 

The road will continue south through the valley

 

Highway 22(POI11) to Oldman River(POI12)

Distance: 16.48NM     Bearing: 160°     8 minutes

 

The valley will soon open up and the road will meet the Oldman river. Follow the river as it heads south

 

Oldman River(POI12) to CZPC(CZPC)

Distance: 10.55NM     Bearing: 148°     5 minutes

 

The river will lead to a reservoir. At the end of the southern arm of the reservoir sits Pincher Creek airstrip, just northwest of the town

 

Leg 3

Flying from CZPC

Leg Distance: 40.77     Approximate time at 125kts: 20 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

CZPC(CZPC) to St. Mary Reservoir(POI13)

Distance: 29.55NM     Bearing: 99°     14 minutes

 

Head southeast after taking off, in the direction of the distant mountain. You'll eventually see the large St Mary reservoir. Just before the reservoir is a highway that heads directly south to the town of Cardston

 

St. Mary Reservoir(POI13) to Cardston(POI14)

Distance: 8.14NM     Bearing: 168°     4 minutes

 

Follow the highway south to the town, then turn to the south east

 

Cardston(POI14) to CEA6(CEA6)

Distance: 3.08NM     Bearing: 119°     1 minutes

 

After heading south east for a couple of miles, you'll see the airfield sitting half way between the highway and the river

 

Leg 4

Flying from CEA6

Leg Distance: 34.66     Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

CEA6(CEA6) to Duck Lake Road(POI15)

Distance: 18.11NM     Bearing: 164°     9 minutes

 

Head south from the airport. After about 9 miles you'll cross into the USA, then in another 9 miles you will come across a road winding its way south through the hills

 

Duck Lake Road(POI15) to Duck Lake Road(POI16)

Distance: 10.55NM     Bearing: 144°     5 minutes

 

Keep following the road as it heads southeast towards the town of Browning. The road will have two river crossings, turn right at the second one and the airport will be ahead to the south

 

Duck Lake Road(POI16) to 8S0(8S0)

Distance: 6NM     Bearing: 168°     3 minutes

 

Starr-Browning airport will be ahead, on the north side of the river

 

Leg 5

Flying from 8S0

Leg Distance: 46.52     Approximate time at 125kts: 22 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

8S0(8S0) to Saint Mary Lake(POI17)

Distance: 15.53NM     Bearing: 283°     7 minutes

 

Head west towards the mountains. Soon you will come to the long crescent shape of Saint Mary Lake

 

Saint Mary Lake(POI17) to Saint Mary Lake(POI18)

Distance: 6.18NM     Bearing: 231°     3 minutes

 

Follow the lake southwest through the valley

 

Saint Mary Lake(POI18) to Logan Pass(POI19)

Distance: 5.04NM     Bearing: 280°     2 minutes

 

After the lake, the valley will fork into two. Turn to the right and take the valley heading west. The lowest crossing point is Logan Pass, where you'll see the road heading to, with its visitor center and parking lot

 

Logan Pass(POI19) to McDonald Creek(POI20)

Distance: 2.12NM     Bearing: 302°     1 minutes

 

After the pass, keep turning around the left to head southwest into the next valley

 

McDonald Creek(POI20) to McDonald Creek(POI21)

Distance: 2.64NM     Bearing: 218°     1 minutes

 

Continue the gradual left turn through the valley which will soon reveal another lake ahead

 

McDonald Creek(POI21) to Lake Macdonald(POI22)

Distance: 11.97NM     Bearing: 201°     6 minutes

 

Follow the lake southwest all the way to the southern end

 

Lake Macdonald(POI22) to 2MT1(2MT1)

Distance: 3.04NM     Bearing: 151°     1 minutes

 

Turning southeast around the mountain base, you'll see Ryan Field  a few miles ahead on top of a wooded hill, just south of the river

 

Leg 6

Flying from 2MT1

Leg Distance: 26.43     Approximate time at 125kts: 13 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

2MT1(2MT1) to Hungry Horse(POI23)

Distance: 6.82NM     Bearing: 200°     3 minutes

 

Head southwest after takeoff and you'll see US highway 2 and the Flathead River leading you west through a gap in the mountains

 

Hungry Horse(POI23) to Columbia Falls(POI24)

Distance: 4.91NM     Bearing: 252°     2 minutes

 

Follow the river to the town of Columbia Falls ahead. From there, follow the river south

 

Columbia Falls(POI24) to Flathead River Bridge(POI25)

Distance: 9.8NM     Bearing: 182°     5 minutes

 

Following the river south, you'll pass Glacier Park International Airport which lies to your right, and eventually come to a bridge crossing the river. this is State Hwy 35 and will take you into Kalispell

 

Flathead River Bridge(POI25) to Kalispell(POI26)

Distance: 3.29NM     Bearing: 236°     2 minutes

 

Follow the road to the centre of town then the Kalispell City Airport will be off to your left

 

Kalispell(POI26) to S27(S27)

Distance: 1.61NM     Bearing: 151°     1 minutes

 

The runway is pointing southeast alongside the highway

 

Leg 7

Flying from S27

Leg Distance: 52.77     Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

S27(S27) to Flathead Lake(POI27)

Distance: 7.59NM     Bearing: 132°     4 minutes

 

Head south to the large lake - Flathead Lake

 

Flathead Lake(POI27) to Flathead Lake(POI28)

Distance: 22.79NM     Bearing: 159°     11 minutes

 

Follow the lake south along its entire length. You'll see a golf course and a highway heading south at the other end

 

Flathead Lake(POI28) to 52S(52S)

Distance: 22.39NM     Bearing: 164°     11 minutes

 

Keep following the highway south where it will pass between two lakes and onto the town of St Ignatius. The airfield is off to the left just before the town

 

Leg 8

Flying from 52S

Leg Distance: 43.74     Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

52S(52S) to National Bison Range(POI29)

Distance: 8.79NM     Bearing: 279°     4 minutes

 

Head northwest back past the town and follow the creek that runs alongside the hills which are within the National Bison Range. The creek will turn south and meet up with the Flathead River

 

National Bison Range(POI29) to Dixon(POI30)

Distance: 3.89NM     Bearing: 183°     2 minutes

 

Follow the river and its companion road south for just a few miles. When the river turns off to the west, we will turn left and follow the road heading east

 

Dixon(POI30) to US-93(POI31)

Distance: 5.64NM     Bearing: 103°     3 minutes

 

Follow the road through the valley until it meets up with US Highway 93 heading southeast

 

US-93(POI31) to Arlee(POI32)

Distance: 10.05NM     Bearing: 132°     5 minutes

 

Follow the road south east along the valley

 

Arlee(POI32) to I-90(POI33)

Distance: 11.56NM     Bearing: 191°     6 minutes

 

Keep following the road south along the valley, where it will eventually cut through some hills and meet up with Interstate 90 that runs into Missoula

 

I-90(POI33) to KMSO(KMSO)

Distance: 3.81NM     Bearing: 125°     2 minutes

 

Turn left at the interstate and you'll see Missoula Intl ahead

 

Leg 9

Flying from KMSO

Leg Distance: 61.78     Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KMSO(KMSO) to Missoula(POI34)

Distance: 5.98NM     Bearing: 109°     3 minutes

 

After takeoff, continue southeast along I-90 where it will curve its way into a valley

 

Missoula(POI34) to Canyon River GC(POI35)

Distance: 3.14NM     Bearing: 65°     2 minutes

 

Continue following the interstate. It will pass a golf course and once again turn to the south east

 

Canyon River GC(POI35) to Clinton(POI36)

Distance: 9.03NM     Bearing: 116°     4 minutes

 

Keep following I-90 south east

 

Clinton(POI36) to Rock Creek Confluence(POI37)

Distance: 3.44NM     Bearing: 149°     2 minutes

 

Stay with I-90 as it turns sharply east around a mountain.

 

Rock Creek Confluence(POI37) to Clark Fork(POI38)

Distance: 14.83NM     Bearing: 82°     7 minutes

 

Stay along the interstate until it clears the valley near a large rest area. From here we will leave the road and turn southeast

 

Clark Fork(POI38) to MT-1(POI39)

Distance: 9.46NM     Bearing: 134°     5 minutes

 

Head southeast over the hills and then across the farmland to meet up with state highway 1 running south along the eastern side of the farmland

 

MT-1(POI39) to U05(U05)

Distance: 15.9NM     Bearing: 182°     8 minutes

 

Follow the road south as it heads through a shallow valley to the town of Philipsburg, then the airfield is just beyond, to the left of the road

 

Leg 10

Flying from U05

Leg Distance: 44.67     Approximate time at 125kts: 21 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

U05(U05) to Georgetown Lake(POI40)

Distance: 7.97NM     Bearing: 156°     4 minutes

 

Head southeast from the town for about 8 miles and you will come to a large lake. From there follow the road heading east

 

Georgetown Lake(POI40) to Anaconda(POI41)

Distance: 15.8NM     Bearing: 91°     8 minutes

 

Follow the road east as it curves between the hills towards the town of Anaconda

 

Anaconda(POI41) to I-90(POI42)

Distance: 10.54NM     Bearing: 119°     5 minutes

 

Keep following the road as it merges with I-90 heading south east

 

I-90(POI42) to Butte(POI43)

Distance: 6.87NM     Bearing: 81°     3 minutes

 

Follow the interstate east to the city of Butte

 

Butte(POI43) to KBTM(KBTM)

Distance: 3.49NM     Bearing: 135°     2 minutes

 

The airport is a couple of miles south of the town

 

Leg 11

Flying from KBTM

Leg Distance: 67.88     Approximate time at 125kts: 33 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KBTM(KBTM) to Pipestone(POI44)

Distance: 9.73NM     Bearing: 94°     5 minutes

 

Once airborne, track east to the interstate and follow it as it winds its way east through the hills

 

Pipestone(POI44) to Twin Bridges(POI45)

Distance: 20.55NM     Bearing: 174°     10 minutes

 

After crossing the mountains, turn south and meet up with the river as it also makes its way south. The irrigated land will eventually split near the small town of twin bridges where we will turn left and follow the green path to the south east

 

Twin Bridges(POI45) to Adler(POI46)

Distance: 17.8NM     Bearing: 135°     9 minutes

 

Near the end of this wide valley is the town of Adler, where the road turns to the east. Follow the road east over the hills

 

Adler(POI46) to Ennis(POI47)

Distance: 14.76NM     Bearing: 77°     7 minutes

 

The road will take us just south of the town of Ennis. From here we turn to the south east towards the airport

 

Ennis(POI47) to KEKS(KEKS)

Distance: 5.04NM     Bearing: 116°     2 minutes

 

After crossing the Madison River, you'll find the airport slightly to the south near the base of the mountains

 

Leg 12

Flying from KEKS

Leg Distance: 45.82     Approximate time at 125kts: 22 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KEKS(KEKS) to Bear Creek(POI48)

Distance: 7.74NM     Bearing: 144°     4 minutes

 

Head southeast towards the mountains and a group of circular crop fields

 

Bear Creek(POI48) to Sphinx Mountain(POI49)

Distance: 6.14NM     Bearing: 92°     3 minutes

 

Turn to the east and head into the mountains, keeping the large peak of Sphinx Mountain to your left. Once you pass the peak, keep heading east and down to a valley that curves around to the southeast

 

Sphinx Mountain(POI49) to Nine Quarter Circle Ranch(POI50)

Distance: 7.71NM     Bearing: 113°     4 minutes

 

As the valley opens out to a larger valley you'll come to a road heading east past the small airfield at Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

 

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch(POI50) to US-191(POI51)

Distance: 3.78NM     Bearing: 72°     2 minutes

 

The road will continue east through a small valley and meet up with US Highway 191. Turn southeast and follow this highway

 

US-191(POI51) to US-191(POI52)

Distance: 5.86NM     Bearing: 115°     3 minutes

 

Follow this road south east for 6 miles until it turns south at the intersection of Gallatin river and Specimen creek. From here, turn east towards the prominent Electric Peak in the distance

 

US-191(POI52) to Electric Peak(POI53)

Distance: 10.49NM     Bearing: 74°     5 minutes

 

Maintain your altitude to cross the valley, you might need to turn slightly to the left to avoid the mountain ahead. Aim to pass by its northern face

 

Electric Peak(POI53) to 29S(29S)

Distance: 4.1NM     Bearing: 60°     2 minutes

 

Once clear of the mountains, you'll need to drop quickly down into the valley leading to Gardiner Airport, which is just beside the river north of the town

 

Leg 13

Flying from 29S

Leg Distance: 59.59     Approximate time at 125kts: 29 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

29S(29S) to Yellowstone River(POI54)

Distance: 4.67NM     Bearing: 96°     2 minutes

 

After takeoff, follow the river southeast, passing the town of Gardiner and cutting into the valley ahead

 

Yellowstone River(POI54) to Junction Butte(POI55)

Distance: 11.57NM     Bearing: 109°     6 minutes

 

Keep following the river as it winds through the mountains. Eventually the landscape will open up and the river will meet the Lamar river just north of a bridge crossing

 

Junction Butte(POI55) to Yellowstone River(POI56)

Distance: 8.65NM     Bearing: 155°     4 minutes

 

Follow the river south as it enters the canyons of Yellowstone National Park

 

Yellowstone River(POI56) to Yellowstone River(POI57)

Distance: 4.53NM     Bearing: 212°     2 minutes

 

Keep following the river as it curves around to the southwest

 

Yellowstone River(POI57) to Lower Yellowstone Falls(POI58)

Distance: 3.24NM     Bearing: 241°     2 minutes

 

The valley will eventually shallow out and lead to the stunning Lower Falls of Yellowstone

 

Lower Yellowstone Falls(POI58) to Norris Geyser Basin(POI59)

Distance: 9.17NM     Bearing: 266°     4 minutes

 

Heading west from the falls, you'll soon see a road leading past a small lake to another Yellowstone attraction, the Norris Geyser Basin

 

Norris Geyser Basin(POI59) to West Yellowstone(POI60)

Distance: 12.03NM     Bearing: 256°     6 minutes

 

Heading west, the land will flatten out and the town of West Yellowstone should be to the southwest

 

West Yellowstone(POI60) to KWYS(KWYS)

Distance: 5.73NM     Bearing: 237°     3 minutes

 

Yellowstone airport sits to the north of the town, near the southeastern tip of Hebgen Lake

 

Leg 14

Flying from KWYS

Leg Distance: 72.24     Approximate time at 125kts: 35 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KWYS(KWYS) to Grand Prismatic Spring(POI61)

Distance: 15.07NM     Bearing: 114°     7 minutes

 

From Yellowstone airport, head southeast for about 15 miles and you'll reach a bare patch of landscape full of hot springs. At the south end of this area is the beautiful multicolored Grand Prismatic Spring

 

Grand Prismatic Spring(POI61) to Jackson Lake(POI62)

Distance: 33.41NM     Bearing: 159°     16 minutes

 

Head south and you'll see the Grand Teton mountain range in the distance. Head to the left side of the mountains and you'll arrive at Jackson Lake

 

Jackson Lake(POI62) to Jackson Lake(POI63)

Distance: 11.51NM     Bearing: 164°     6 minutes

 

Fly the length of Jackson Lake and continue south towards the Snake River

 

Jackson Lake(POI63) to KJAC(KJAC)

Distance: 12.25NM     Bearing: 184°     6 minutes

 

Follow the river south and it will lead you straight to Jackson Hole airport

 

Leg 15

Flying from KJAC

Leg Distance: 50.14     Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KJAC(KJAC) to Lower Slide Lake(POI64)

Distance: 10.26NM     Bearing: 70°     5 minutes

 

Heading east from Jackson Hole, meet up with the Gros Ventre river and follow it through the hills towards Lower Slide Lake

 

Lower Slide Lake(POI64) to Upper Slide Lake(POI65)

Distance: 12.38NM     Bearing: 103°     6 minutes

 

Keep following the Gros Ventre River as it heads southeast. Crystal creek will fork off to the south, but stay with the main river heading southeast through another shallow valley

 

Upper Slide Lake(POI65) to Fish Creek(POI66)

Distance: 3.85NM     Bearing: 57°     2 minutes

 

As the valley widens out, another river will branch off and curve north east around a small mountain. Keep the mountain to your left and follow the river for a few miles until it splits into two.

 

Fish Creek(POI66) to Wind River(POI67)

Distance: 10.73NM     Bearing: 52°     5 minutes

 

Don't take either fork, but fly northeast over the hills, passing to the south of the orange tinted Lava Mountain. From here the Wind River valley should be ahead, with the river and highway leading you southeast

 

Wind River(POI67) to KDUB(KDUB)

Distance: 12.92NM     Bearing: 110°     6 minutes

 

As you follow the highway southeast, you'll soon see Dubois airport up ahead, just to the right of the road

 

Leg 16

Flying from KDUB

Leg Distance: 59.08     Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KDUB(KDUB) to Black Mountain(POI68)

Distance: 23.05NM     Bearing: 86°     11 minutes

 

Heading east from Dubois, you'll notice the large dome shape of Black Mountain dominating the landscape ahead. Pass to it's south as you turn slightly to the northeast around it

 

Black Mountain(POI68) to Owl Creek Mountains(POI69)

Distance: 23.73NM     Bearing: 63°     11 minutes

 

After Black Mountain you'll see a large oval shaped rock formation on the ground ahead. Fly over this and northeast towards the mountains beyond

 

Owl Creek Mountains(POI69) to KHSG(KHSG)

Distance: 12.3NM     Bearing: 52°     6 minutes

 

Once over the mountains and the lower hills beyond, continue northeast to the flat land, and the irrigated strip of land heading east. A long ridge runs along to the north of the river, and Hot Springs County Airport is at the eastern edge of the ridge

 

Leg 17

Flying from KHSG

Leg Distance: 56.45     Approximate time at 125kts: 27 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KHSG(KHSG) to Meeteetse(POI70)

Distance: 33.81NM     Bearing: 313°     16 minutes

 

Head northwest and follow State Highway 120, which will wind its way northwest over the landscape, leading to the town of Meeteetse and beyond

 

Meeteetse(POI70) to KCOD(KCOD)

Distance: 22.64NM     Bearing: 333°     11 minutes

 

Keep heading northwest along Highway 120 and it will take you directly to the Yellowstone Regional Airport at Cody

 

Leg 18

Flying from KCOD

Leg Distance: 54.56     Approximate time at 125kts: 26 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KCOD(KCOD) to WY-120(POI71)

Distance: 15.23NM     Bearing: 316°     7 minutes

 

Leaving Cody, we head north west along Highway 120 as it passes in between the mountains of the Absaroka Wilderness to the west, and Heart Mountain to the east

 

WY-120(POI71) to Canyon Road(POI72)

Distance: 10NM     Bearing: 344°     5 minutes

 

After passing Heart Mountain, head north until you cross the West Fork Yellowstone River, which will disappear into a valley to the west. Start turning northwest to the next valley, then head west along that valley

 

Canyon Road(POI72) to Deep Lake(POI73)

Distance: 7.91NM     Bearing: 260°     4 minutes

 

Heading west and climbing through the canyon, you'll soon pass Deep Lake which sits high at the western end of the valley. The lake will point you northwest across the top of the mountains

 

Deep Lake(POI73) to Beartooth Highway(POI74)

Distance: 4.69NM     Bearing: 326°     2 minutes

 

Heading northwest across the top of the mountains you'll soon come across Highway 212 - Beartooth Highway, before dropping down into the valley below

 

Beartooth Highway(POI74) to Beartooth Highway(POI75)

Distance: 8.07NM     Bearing: 22°     4 minutes

 

As you follow the valley north east, you'll see the Beartooth Highway's spectacular descent down the eastern side of the valley

 

Beartooth Highway(POI75) to Beartooth Highway(POI76)

Distance: 2.2NM     Bearing: 73°     1 minutes

 

Continue along the valley as it turns east

 

Beartooth Highway(POI76) to KRED(KRED)

Distance: 6.46NM     Bearing: 15°     3 minutes

 

The valley will turn north and open out to the town of Red Lodge. The airport sits to the west of the town

 

Leg 19

Flying from KRED

Leg Distance: 48.58     Approximate time at 125kts: 23 minutes.

 

See leg in Skyvector

KRED(KRED) to HWY-212(POI77)

Distance: 19.14NM     Bearing: 16°     9 minutes

 

Follow the highway and Rock Creek north as they gradually curve around to the northeast

 

HWY-212(POI77) to Laurel(POI78)

Distance: 16.91NM     Bearing: 37°     8 minutes

 

Turn northeast as the highway makes its way to the town of Laurel, and the interchange with Interstate 90

 

Laurel(POI78) to KBIL(KBIL)

Distance: 12.53NM     Bearing: 35°     6 minutes

 

I-90 will lead you northeast the city of Billings. The airport sits atop a plateau called the Rimrocks on the northern edge of the city