Originally Posted by
rickair7777
They're used to getting slam dunked in places like that, so they're spring-loaded to get down sooner rather than later, especially on a complicated approach.
Worth noting that a SLC 900 probably had a very, very senior CA (who grew doing a VOR approaches into mountain holes in a metro), so there's likely some cultural misunderstanding about how those at-or-above clearances work.
250Kts and 10000' at Cegan would be my off the cuff planning depending on the type of course. In areas of terrain I would rather be high and adjust. Why drive around at 7800' 40 miles out? A 27 mile arc to final would not be complicated even with just a bearing pointer.