Meatwad,
Before you fly the valley - assess what obstacles are relevant (if commercial ops). If you have to account for an obstacle - even though you know you'll be able to "see and avoid" - it can still ruin your day. If you have a certain lateral assessment criteria (i.e. can I clear that obstacle with enough lateral distance that I don't need to be able to clear it vertically?) in your Ops manual, you need to do the numbers game and stick by it. If private ops - no worry, enjoy the trip. Awsome place
As for TPs vs jets - performance is king, nuf' said
