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SLC destination photo
GCC destination photo

SLCGCC

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides a superior vantage point for the dramatic Wind River Range and the stunning descent past the southern Bighorn Mountains, along with clear views of the turquoise Bear Lake.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Great Salt Lake

Shortly after takeoff, witness the vast, shimmering expanse and distinct color variations of the Great Salt Lake's north arm.

💎

Bear Lake

Often called the 'Caribbean of the Rockies,' look for this strikingly turquoise lake nestled on the Utah-Idaho border.

🏔️

Wind River Range

Gaze at the distant, rugged silhouettes of Wyoming's highest peaks, including Gannett Peak, visible to the north.

⛰️

Bighorn Mountains

During the descent into Gillette, the southern ridges of the Bighorns provide a dramatic backdrop of limestone cliffs and pine forests.

🚜

Powder River Coal Mines

As you approach GCC, the massive scale of the Eagle Butte and Buckskin open-pit coal mines becomes visible on the landscape.

Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun while capturing the best lighting on the Wind River and Bighorn peaks. Keep your camera ready about 15-20 minutes after takeoff for the vivid blue of Bear Lake. On approach to Gillette, watch for the geometric patterns of the massive surface mines, which are iconic to this region's economy.

Right Side Highlights
7.5
🏙️

Salt Lake City Skyline

Excellent views of downtown Salt Lake City and the Capitol building immediately following departure from SLC.

🏔️

Wasatch Range

Fly parallel to the steep, dramatic western face of the Wasatch mountains, seeing peaks like Mount Olympus and Lone Peak.

🌲

Uinta Mountains

Look south to see the unique east-west orientation of the high Uintas, Utah's loftiest mountain range.

🏜️

Red Desert

Cross over the vast, arid landscapes of southern Wyoming, characterized by colorful badlands and high-altitude sagebrush steppe.

🌾

Powder River Basin

Enjoy the serene, rolling grasslands of the Great Plains as the aircraft enters the final approach phase into Gillette.

The right side is ideal for seeing the immediate urban and mountain geography of the Salt Lake Valley. If flying in the late afternoon, the right side will experience significant sun glare, which may make photography difficult. Watch for the Snowy Range in the far distance to the south if the sky is exceptionally clear.

Top Activities in Gillette
Route Information

Distance: 659 km (409 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 6 min

Departure: SLC (40.78839874267578, -111.97799682617188)

Arrival: GCC (44.3488998413, -105.539001465)

Route Type: Domestic

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