Southernly: Kagel
North Easterly: Ave S.
North Western: ? None
I propose this location for NW situations:
80 Miles away
http://www.paraglidingearth.com/pgearth ... ?site=6995
NW Winds
Moderator: Chip
NW Winds
Seems like we have 3 most common wind directions in LA, and places to fly during them except one.
Southernly: Kagel
North Easterly: Ave S.
North Western: ? None
I propose this location for NW situations:
80 Miles away
http://www.paraglidingearth.com/pgearth ... ?site=6995
Southernly: Kagel
North Easterly: Ave S.
North Western: ? None
I propose this location for NW situations:
80 Miles away
http://www.paraglidingearth.com/pgearth ... ?site=6995
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addicted2climbing
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:50 pm
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skygeek AKA Seabass
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:34 pm
- Location: Newhall
- Contact:
The site where you land at the horse corral is Bear Mountain which is a little further north from this site. BTW - to launch Bear Mountain, you need to go all the way into Tehachapi and come back through Bear Valley Springs and you need a pass to get to launch and a key to get down to the corral.
This site (Comanche) can be a decent flying site. I flew there a number of times when I lived in Bakersfield. Some things to keep in mind:
The glide is a bit intimidating for a single surface. Since the PG's can put it down in a smaller LZ, they're capable of landing in the turnouts along the road. These LZ's are a bit tight for hang gliders. You would prefer to land in the large flat field at the bottom of the hill (this is NOT Tejon Ranch land), otherwise you're landing on the side of a hill, doable but...
Tejon Ranch land is all around so try not to land any where else except by the road up.
Launch itself, IS on Tejon Ranch land. You have to hope a barbwire fence to get to launch, at which point you are entering their property. So when you go to launch, don't doddle (NO VANDERING, GOOFBALLS), set up quickly and launch.
John Fritsche introduced me to the site. I've heard he's since moved to the coast (Lompoc?), but if you have his contact information, he would be able to provide some better insight.
I hope all is well and I'm glad to see Sylmar got its LZ back.
-Dave
This site (Comanche) can be a decent flying site. I flew there a number of times when I lived in Bakersfield. Some things to keep in mind:
The glide is a bit intimidating for a single surface. Since the PG's can put it down in a smaller LZ, they're capable of landing in the turnouts along the road. These LZ's are a bit tight for hang gliders. You would prefer to land in the large flat field at the bottom of the hill (this is NOT Tejon Ranch land), otherwise you're landing on the side of a hill, doable but...
Tejon Ranch land is all around so try not to land any where else except by the road up.
Launch itself, IS on Tejon Ranch land. You have to hope a barbwire fence to get to launch, at which point you are entering their property. So when you go to launch, don't doddle (NO VANDERING, GOOFBALLS), set up quickly and launch.
John Fritsche introduced me to the site. I've heard he's since moved to the coast (Lompoc?), but if you have his contact information, he would be able to provide some better insight.
I hope all is well and I'm glad to see Sylmar got its LZ back.
-Dave
Points of interest at launch:
1. Cattle gate. No lock, just keeps cattle on one side or the other. Close the gate when you pass. I think they can't lock the county maintained road.
2. A barbed wire fence and the NW wind launch. Short 25 yards from the parking spot. Arrow indicates launch direction.
3. A West-SouthWest launch right at the parking area.
1. Cattle gate. No lock, just keeps cattle on one side or the other. Close the gate when you pass. I think they can't lock the county maintained road.
2. A barbed wire fence and the NW wind launch. Short 25 yards from the parking spot. Arrow indicates launch direction.
3. A West-SouthWest launch right at the parking area.
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John Fritsche
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:18 pm
I know this place pretty well, flew it quite a few times while living in Bakersfield. I had a few really great flights here. Most info. previously on this thread is accurate...
Regarding flying single-surface there, I've done it a few times and seen it done a few times, and we've always made the LZ. That said, I can see poor/inexperienced judgement and/or horrendous sink and/or stiff headwinds (a rarity) causing low-performance gliders to land short in less-than-ideal spots.
Some years ago now, I was given quasi-permission by a Comanche Ranch manager to land where we do; he really wanted to hear that we would usually be out there in small numbers and on weekends (when there's little-to-no ranch activity). The agreement was more like, "Don't worry, we won't call the cops on you, but for the record, I never told you that." I think half the reason I got permission was because the manager is a friend of a well-respected friend who put in a good word for us.
The launch is indeed on Tejon's property, but Tejon people are very very seldom around there. You are likely to see few if any other people when in this desolate, isolated area. I never got caught but have heard of other pilots getting caught there and bitched at once or twice. No arrests.
Conclusion: Keep it low-key when you fly here. Don't attract attention. Spend as little time as possible on launch. Probably not the best idea to bring a big group here, especially during the week.
PS: Late afternoon, when glass-offs are fairly common, is the best time to fly, especially in summer. Launch earlier and you won't get any higher, and it will be much more sinky and trashy. And, if the forecast is for strong NW, you're probably better off going to Ant Hill.
Regarding flying single-surface there, I've done it a few times and seen it done a few times, and we've always made the LZ. That said, I can see poor/inexperienced judgement and/or horrendous sink and/or stiff headwinds (a rarity) causing low-performance gliders to land short in less-than-ideal spots.
Some years ago now, I was given quasi-permission by a Comanche Ranch manager to land where we do; he really wanted to hear that we would usually be out there in small numbers and on weekends (when there's little-to-no ranch activity). The agreement was more like, "Don't worry, we won't call the cops on you, but for the record, I never told you that." I think half the reason I got permission was because the manager is a friend of a well-respected friend who put in a good word for us.
The launch is indeed on Tejon's property, but Tejon people are very very seldom around there. You are likely to see few if any other people when in this desolate, isolated area. I never got caught but have heard of other pilots getting caught there and bitched at once or twice. No arrests.
Conclusion: Keep it low-key when you fly here. Don't attract attention. Spend as little time as possible on launch. Probably not the best idea to bring a big group here, especially during the week.
PS: Late afternoon, when glass-offs are fairly common, is the best time to fly, especially in summer. Launch earlier and you won't get any higher, and it will be much more sinky and trashy. And, if the forecast is for strong NW, you're probably better off going to Ant Hill.
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John Fritsche
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:18 pm
I just flew Slick Rock past weekend. Did not go far, but site is spectacular:
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/505146
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/flight/505146
skydizzy.blogspot.com
