Here is a simple rule - if you can't accurately assess the weather en route - drive instead of fly. There is plenty of met info available on the internet and other sources - the only thing preventing you from interpreting it is laziness. There are so many good books on met available - it is not rocket science or a black art.
If you think that a metman from many miles away will be able to give you a spot-on local forecast for a remote area then you are deluding yourself. You probably know your local area and micro-climates better than most if you fly in it regularly - apply this knowledge to a sound knowledge of met principles and you are more likely to make an accurate assessment.
As far as met is concerned, knowledge is not only power but safety!
Launching on a telephone report of 200' above a saddle is OK as long as you have sensible alternatives so that when you get there and the cloudbase has lowered (as it can do quickly in hills) you are prepared to cancel your trip and go home. If you decide to press on because you have an appointment to make and you got through OK last time - then you are well on your way to becoming a statistic.