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Pacific Valley (Big Sur)
Access: Dirt road; 2WD. There is plenty of parking at launch and in the LZ. A Wilderness Pass is required to park or camp at launch. You can get one at the Ranger Station or in the campground. They cost $5. The fine for parking without one is $5. Wind Direction: West (WSW & WNW). Be sure to check the wind in the LZ before heading up and look for indicators of high winds on the water. The wind can very often be light at launch and very strong once you clear the ridge. Restrictions: The launch and LZ are on national forest land. There are no restrictions to fly here. This is a good site for Novice pilots. Launch: (Wild Cattle Launch) 3,200 MSL - N35°58'17" W121°27'11" (995m). There is an alternate, walk-up, launch above the Pacific Valley turnout (Harry's Launch). You can use this launch when cloud base is too low to launch from Wild Cattle. There is also a trail leading from Wild Cattle to Harry's Launch. Vertical: 3,050' MSL Launch: The launch and set up area are huge and there are no real obstacles. LZ: N35°55'57" W121°28'09" (40m)
Facilities: There are several campgrounds in the area. There are no toilets at launch or in the LZ. The closest towns are Lucia (north) and Gorda (south). Gorda has a convenience store, very expensive gasoline and a nice/friendly restaurant. Lucia has a restaurant that's open for breakfast and lunch. Gas: Try to remember to gas up in Carmel or Monterey, if you are coming up Highway, 1 or in King City, if you are coming the back way. The nearest gas station is almost 7 miles away and their prices are high. Plaskett Creek Campground: Our preferred campground is just off of Highway 1, 9.5 miles south of the tiny town of Lucia and 7 miles north of the equally small town of Gorda). The campground is grassy with running water and flushies, but no showers. There are picnic tables and fire pits. You will need to bring your own firewood. Campsites are $20 per night and are available on a first come/first serve basis. Group campsites can be reserved in advance. Emergencies: Take radios and cell phones, as there are no pay phones nearby. In case of emergencies, contact the Ranger (across from the LZ) and call 911. Directions From Highway 1 The most scenic route is to take Highway 1 south from Monterey. It is about 60 or 70 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the west. Go past Big Sur and beyond the town of Lucia. To the LZ/Campground: As you continue south, past Lucia, you will see large, open, flat fields on the right side of the highway. The principal LZ is across the highway from the Pacific Valley Station of the Los Padres National Forest. Look for the big sign on the right side of the highway. Plaskett Creek Campground is about a mile south of the Ranger Station, on the left side of the highway. To Launch: If you are coming from the North, pass the town of Lucia and turn left on Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. If you are coming from the campground/LZ, go north and turn right Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Keep following this road about 7 miles until you crest the summit of the range overlooking the Pacific. At the summit, turn right on the dirt road (there is a sign that says Prewitt Ridge 5 miles). This is the road to launch. Approximately 4½ miles down the dirt road there is an unmarked road coming in from the right. It looks about as heavily traveled as the main dirt road. Turn right and follow the road out to the front of the ridge (about ½ mile). When the road branches in three directions, take the middle branch and drive 100 yards to the crest of the ridge. You are on launch. The "Back Way" to Launch Some think it is quicker to go the "back way" and, in fact, that is the only way to get there at certain times of the year when Highway 1 is closed due to mudslides and/or road repairs. The "back way" is definitely faster if you plan to camp at launch or if you want to drive straight to launch. To get to Pacific Valley via the "back way", go south on Highway 101. Take the Jolon Road exit (the last exit before King City). Turn right on Jolon Road and drive 17.3 miles to the entrance of Fort Hunter Ligget (there is a small church nestled in the trees immediately before the turn). Turn right, drive through the front gate of the fort, and go 3 miles. Turn left at the sign that says Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. After about 17 miles, you will crest the summit of the range overlooking the Pacific. At the summit, turn left on the dirt road ( there is a sign that says Prewitt Ridge 5 miles). This is the road to launch. Approximately 4½ miles down the dirt road there is an unmarked road coming in from the right. It looks about as heavily traveled as the main dirt road. Turn right and follow the road out to the front of the ridge (about ½ mile). When the road branches in three directions, take the middle branch and drive 100 yards to the crest of the ridge. You are on launch. The "Back Way" to the Campground and LZ If you are going to the LZ or the campground, stay on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road for another 7 miles until it joins Highway 1. Turn left and drive a few miles until you see large, open, flat fields on the west side of the highway. The principal LZ is across the street from the Pacific Valley Station of the Los Padres National Forest. Look for the big sign on the right side of the highway. The entrance to the Plaskett Creek Campground is about a mile past the LZ, on the left.
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Home About Zephyr New & Visiting Pilot Info Useful Info For All Pilots PG & HG Flying Sites Our On-Line Magazine Links Guide To Our Website Kim
Galvin |
Big
Sur is one of the most beautiful sites in California. It is suitable for
novice to advanced hang/paraglider pilots. The conditions are most
reliable from fall through spring.
It
is usually too foggy to fly at Big Sur during the summer. Conditions for
soaring are best between
Christmas and Martin Luther King's birthday. You can typically count on
having a beautiful, smooth sled ride, but soaring flights can be had on pre- and
post-frontal days.
The main LZ is across the highway from
the Ranger Station. It is huge with no real obstacles. Don't land at
the Ranger Station. There is an
alternate LZ to the north at the Pacific Valley turnout (Harry's LZ). Some
people land to the south at Sand Dollar, but this is not recommended, due to the
likelihood of big rotors. 
Brief Site Intro
Pay
careful attention to the wind in the LZ before you drive up and bring binoculars
so you can see the amount of wind on the water when you get to the top.
The wind can be light at launch, but much stronger as you approach the front
(lower, N/S) ridge. You may have trouble penetrating, if you're not
careful. If you see a lot of movement in the trees as you drive up to
launch, it will probably be blown out when you get to the top.
Big
Sur (True) Flying Story
USHPA Advanced Paragliding
Instructor & Observer