Mooney M-20 (N871TX)

Good thing they have a long runway.

Mount Massive in the background covered in snow over the cockpit. 2nd highest peak in Colorado at 14,427 ft. Mt. Elbert behind the tail is 1st at 14,438ft. Need cold weather to take off there with a normally aspirated engine. It's a slow climb to the south.

Mr Barker is spot on with the comment about the mountain, and about the elevation. We took off on our Mooney M-20E (normally aspirated IO-360) on a 72F day and barely made 50 FPM climb. Found an updraft from southerly wind hitting the high ground and soon we’re at 14,000. Beautiful scenery on the way south over the Arkansas River valley.

Leadville, been there1X back in October 1967 flying an Emery Aviation (David & Lawrence Emery) Cessna Skylane, CE-182. N3195Q. which crashed a year later killing all on board. I was in the early licensing mode getting some mountain flying experience. with 2 on board the density altitude was the determine factor of why we chose to depart in the cool of the morning after an uneventful evening arrival.