Bill wrote:
often
impractical to go IFR because they force you so high. You will also
find
that in many areas in the West that they make you fly well above the
MEAs even on victor airways. Complaining doesn't help.

Bill:

the victor airway LVS-TAFOY-SAF has MEAs of 12.3 over LVS, 8.4 at TAFOY
and 11.3 at SAF.

However, let me reiterate...assuming VMC, there's no reason to file
IFR for LVS-TAFOY-SAF. It can safely and easily be done at 10.5 or
even 8.5 as VFR.

Now, if the weather isn't good, that's another story. But still, the
12.3 point in the LVS block is west of LVS itself. LVS itself is
only 6900. V60 to TAFOY then V62 to SAF avoids cumulo granite. It's
V190 and V263 that run right into them thar hills.

Second issue is "mountains". Those of us that live out here do not
fly "in the mountains" as a rule in a single engine aircraft. Well,
maybe in a Pilatus, but certainly not in my cherokee 180. Even
something higher performance will still require careful planning
and most people will head straight for the passes and not go
over the tops. The LVS-TAFOY-SAF route is very practical and a
wise choice for someone who's never been out here before.

There's a number of mountain flying CFIs on this list who can
provide more insight. There are a number of CAP pilots on this
list also, who *have* flown single-engine "in the mountains" out
here -- and they're very-very-very-VERY good and wise pilots.