Phoenix - Payson / Beechcraft Bonanza A36 (N3759W) / VFR

Still parked at Cutter Aviation, I decided to make a quick trip up to Payson. My headache was gone, which was nice. The weather was excellent for this afternoon flight.

I made my way purely by pilotage. After departing Phoenix and restricted to VFR at 5500 or below, I left the pattern on the crosswind leg and headed northeast towards the Salt River. I simply flew over each of the lakes in turn (Saguaro, Canyon, Apache) up to Roosevelt Dam, where I turned north to follow the lake and then Tonto Creek, which leads most of the way up to Payson. It was easy during the daytime. Not long before reaching Payson I climbed an extra thousand feet for terrain, only to come back down again shortly thereafter to land. Landing was well aligned and smooth.