The long trip north has become a yearly ritual.  The flight is 6 - 7 hrs. to either West Yellowstone, MT or Johnson Creek, ID with one fuel stop somewhere in the middle.   In order to stay ahead of the turbulence in the mountains (which would make a long flight seem MUCH longer), it is imperative to depart the Phoenix area well before sunrise.

  Typically, a 4:30 AM departure will get me into West Yellowstone just in time for lunch.