General Info |
People have been flying at Elk Mountain for a long time. It's flyable almost all year, in all wind directions, but some are better than others. You can swim in the creek in the late spring/early summer. Good flights are most common in the spring, but fall can also be excellent. Fall and winter high-pressure days are good for paragliders. Wind can be a problem. Hot summer days are better spent at Hull (HG) or Potato Hill (PG). Elk Mountain has well deserved a reputation of having a nasty LZ. Choose your conditions carefully and land early or late. Occasionally, when it's very windy, a small wave can set up from Horse.
BAPA holds semiannual fly-ins in the spring and fall. These fly-ins are well-known for great communal dinners and huge bonfires.
BAPA holds semiannual fly-ins in the spring and fall. These fly-ins are well-known for great communal dinners and huge bonfires.
- Location: 10 miles North of Upper Lake, California.
- Usage/Requirements: Hang/Paragliding. Some supervision for Hang/Para 2s is suggested. No prior notification, sign-offs or fees required.
- Season: Flying is best in the spring and fall. It is flyable in the winter, if the road is accessible. Be especially careful in July and August.
- Winds: Flying is best when the wind is S to NW. It is flyable in NE and SE. It is not flyable in E.
- Hazards: There are trees between launch and the LZ. The LZ can be very active.
- Land Ownership: The launch and the primary LZ is on National Forest land. You will cross private land on the road to launch.
- Restrictions: Maxwell MOA at 10,000', weekdays only. Check with locals for any additional restrictions.
- Parking: There is plenty of parking at launch and in the LZ.
- Radio Information: FM 147.495.
- Emergency: The nearest hospitals are in Ukiah and Clearlake. Cell coverage is spotty at the campground. The closest phone is in Upper Lake.
- Upper Lake Ranger Station: 10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA, (707) 275-2361. Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
- Lodging: There is lodging fifteen minutes away in in Upper Lake (Super 8) and thirty minutes away in Nice and Lucerne. Make a reservation, in advance, if you plan to stay at the Super 8.
- Camping: There is camping in the LZ at the Middle Creek Campground. Located 8 miles north of Upper Lake on County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1). Facilities: 23 paved campsites (two are group sites), 26 tables, 23 upright pedestal grills, 23 fire rings, 3 vault toilets, trailer space, gravity water system. Elevation 2,000 feet. Open year-round. Fee: $8.00 per camp unit plus $2.00 per additional vehicle per night. Limit two vehicles per camp unit. Lat - 39° 15' 09.46080", Long - 122° 57' 01.76399"
- Amenities: The Blue Wing Saloon & Cafe, in Upper Lake, is a good place to go for breakfast or lunch.
- Road Conditions: Paved roads except for the rugged 4WD dirt (about one mile) road to launch, which is very rough and steep in places (with rattlesnakes during the summer).
- Setup Area: No limit.
- Other Use: Motorcycles in the LZ can be very noisy.
- Affiliation and Maintenance: Sonoma Wings.
Driving Directions |
Take highway 101North to Highway 20. Proceed East on Highway 20 to Upper Lake. Take a left on Main Street, which turns into Middle Creek Road before turning into Elk Mountain Road. The LZ is at Middle Creek Campground (on the right) at the end of the valley, just before you start up hill to launch. From the LZ, drive North up the paved road to the highest point. Turn West onto the steep and gnarly 4WD dirt road to launch (20 - 30 minutes).
Launches |
1. South Launch - grassy; steep; can launch 2; preferred by paragliders; 4,000' MSL; 2,600' vertical.
2. North Launch - good, but can be tricky; brushy.
3. West Launch - sometimes used by paragliders; rarely used by hang gliders.
2. North Launch - good, but can be tricky; brushy.
3. West Launch - sometimes used by paragliders; rarely used by hang gliders.
Flying |
Elk is a thermal site with fair/good cross-country routes to the south, down Middle Creek. There are many places to land in the (mostly dry) creek, but watch out for the power lines. There are good LZs by Highway 20, in Scott's Valley, Long Valley and Spring Valley
Landing |
The primary LZ is in the creek in the Middle Creek Campground. There's about 30 acres with a creek running through it; and the surface is mostly rocky. It is flat and at approximately 1,600' MSL. The best landing is S or NW. In poor conditions, it can be better to land farther south, at the thistle field. There is a grassy break-down/pack-up area.
Other Links |