Allright, lets throw a bonus question in here.
Since we've got a healthy discussion going on about NAVIGATING to the off-airway fix - lets add this element to it:
When, and what method would you use to properly descend, and stay free of obstacles, prior to reaching the begining of your approach fix?
For instance, your cruising at 15,000 feet, your destination airport is at 800 feet, and the first segment of the approach calls for you to start at 2,500 feet. At what point, and what method would you use to determine when you could safely descend down prior to reaching the approach enviroment?