Thanks for all the good info. Im still not exactly clear on departing in extreme VFR. (mountains unobscured). It seems im getting mixed signals.
Just check your aircraft performance charts. Don't take my word or anybody else's word for what your aircraft can do. The only encouragement I can offer you is that Citation 501s operate in and out of Aspen all year long, so either they can do that legally, or all of them cheat.
I'd think that the aircraft can do it legally. But as I said, I don't know very much about the 501. Check your charts.
Just out curiosity, what type of turbo-prop were you flying?