History |
Windy Hill was a popular HG site from 1975-1980, when the land was privately owned. In 1981, the launch site was purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust and all HG activity was suspended. Over the years, an effort was made by a small group of pilots to reopen the site, but the lack of a suitable publicly-owned LZ made the reopening unlikely. In 1982, the land was passed on to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. In 1987, the MROSD acquired the land that is now the LZ. In 1994, the site was opened to PGs.
Site Description |
Windy Hill crowns a public preserve owned by the MROSD and forms the scenic mountain backdrop to the town of Portola Valley. Its 1,000 acres are filled with colorful wildflowers, grasses, redwoods, oaks and firs. The site is an inland ridge that is soarable in a combination of thermal and ridge lift.
The site requires an east wind, which is great in the wintertime (between October and March). However, keep in mind that there is a relatively long glide (6.5) for PGs, from the launch to the LZ.
Typical Conditions: E/NE; Best Conditions: E/SE
Launch - 4,000'/LZ - 2,100'/AGL - 1,900'
Quote from Ed Stein: "A little known fact of interest is that, even though it is known as an "East Site," it is quite flyable in the mornings to early afternoon most of the year. In fact, I have some of my best flights there at around 10:00 or 11:00 AM in the summer, before the westerly winds kick in. There are very gentle thermals (that come up from Highway 280 and Portola Valley) that will take you toward the southwest and then there is mix of the convergence that will enable you to go a long distance."
Parking is available near the launch area in the roadside pullout on Skyline Boulevard, adjacent to gate WH01 at the northern boundary of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Vehicles may not use Old La Honda Road as a route of travel between the launch and the LZ. Vehicles may park near the lower LZ at the Portola Valley Town Center parking lot. After pilots have landed, retrieve drivers may enter the preserve to pick up pilots/gliders. Vehicles cannot be left unattended at or near the lower LZ. There is no vehicle assess to the upper LZ.
The site requires an east wind, which is great in the wintertime (between October and March). However, keep in mind that there is a relatively long glide (6.5) for PGs, from the launch to the LZ.
Typical Conditions: E/NE; Best Conditions: E/SE
Launch - 4,000'/LZ - 2,100'/AGL - 1,900'
Quote from Ed Stein: "A little known fact of interest is that, even though it is known as an "East Site," it is quite flyable in the mornings to early afternoon most of the year. In fact, I have some of my best flights there at around 10:00 or 11:00 AM in the summer, before the westerly winds kick in. There are very gentle thermals (that come up from Highway 280 and Portola Valley) that will take you toward the southwest and then there is mix of the convergence that will enable you to go a long distance."
Parking is available near the launch area in the roadside pullout on Skyline Boulevard, adjacent to gate WH01 at the northern boundary of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Vehicles may not use Old La Honda Road as a route of travel between the launch and the LZ. Vehicles may park near the lower LZ at the Portola Valley Town Center parking lot. After pilots have landed, retrieve drivers may enter the preserve to pick up pilots/gliders. Vehicles cannot be left unattended at or near the lower LZ. There is no vehicle assess to the upper LZ.
Amenities |
There is a pay phone, deli and gas station near the junction of Portola and Alpine Road. Additional stores, gas stations and restaurants are on Alpine Road near Highway 280. The SamTrans bus #282 runs along Portola, just past the trailhead. There is no camping in the preserve. Nearby parks with camping include Pescadero Creek County Park and Portola Redwoods State Park.
Rules and Restricitons |
Flying at Windy Hill is sanctioned under two conditional special use permits granted by the MROSD, one for PGs and one for HGs. You must be a current member of USHPA, with a P4/H4 rating, be a current member of the Windy Hill Skyriders and display a current sticker on your helmet to fly this site.
You must sign in at the lock box and carry a photo ID and current USHPA card.
The hours of use are from sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Flying is not permitted on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
No more than ten gliders are allowed on the preserve (including those that are in assembly or tear-down mode), or in the air, at any one time (HG & PG). HGs take precedence over PGs.
Flying is not permitted over the Sequoias Complex (senior citizen's community) or over or east of Portola Road. Stick to soaring over the peak and the eastern slopes of Spring Ridge.
Tandem flying is prohibited. Please be respectful of horses.
Windy Hill Skyriders
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Map of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Launch Parking
LZ Parking
Bay Area Hiker - Windy Hill
Photos of Windy Hill (courtesy of Andy Stocker)
Panorama of Windy Hill Summit
Portola Valley Weather
Nearby Weather Station
You must sign in at the lock box and carry a photo ID and current USHPA card.
The hours of use are from sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Flying is not permitted on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
No more than ten gliders are allowed on the preserve (including those that are in assembly or tear-down mode), or in the air, at any one time (HG & PG). HGs take precedence over PGs.
Flying is not permitted over the Sequoias Complex (senior citizen's community) or over or east of Portola Road. Stick to soaring over the peak and the eastern slopes of Spring Ridge.
Tandem flying is prohibited. Please be respectful of horses.
Windy Hill Skyriders
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Map of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Launch Parking
LZ Parking
Bay Area Hiker - Windy Hill
Photos of Windy Hill (courtesy of Andy Stocker)
Panorama of Windy Hill Summit
Portola Valley Weather
Nearby Weather Station
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