ɐ mˈoːɹ ɹˈiːzənəbəl ɛksplɐnˈeɪʃən, ɹᵻɡˈɑːɹdləs ʌvðə pɹɪvˈeɪlɪŋ kɹˈɔs wˈɪnd, ɪz ðætðɪ ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəl ɹˈʌnweɪ ˌoːɹiəntˈeɪʃən ɐlˈaɪnd skwˈɛɹli wɪð ˌɛmtˈiː. bˈɜːdɛl, ɐ wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd fˈaɪvhˈʌndɹɪd mˈaʊntɪn loʊkˈeɪɾᵻd dʒˈʌst wˈʌn mˈaɪ. tə ðə wˈɛst.
A more reasonable explanation, regardless of the prevailing cross wind, is that the original runway orientation aligned squarely with Mt. Burdell, a 1500' mountain located just 1 mi. to the west.