Bingen

Note: As of 5/5/99 we are no longer allowed to use Ramsey Lane to drive to launch; use Courtney Rd instead

Description of Site: Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Bingen is Gorgeous. A deluxe manicured grass LZ at the Bingen Marina from a 2 100' sled ride with soaring potential with a reasonable drive around makes this one of the gorge's premier sites. With south and west launches it works best sunny & calm, but also works in very light east or west winds (under 10 mph). On good thermal days, gains of 2500' are common with XC potential to the east. if there is a wind, westerlies are best from the Intermediate west launch, east winds tend to be rough and unpredictable making for crosswind launches and tumbling air at the south launch. Unfortunately, Bingen bisects the high wind windsurfing capitol of North America and private property. If there are whitecaps on the river at Bingen Marina or a wind line is moving from the west, it is blown out. Like all other Gorge sites, pilots must keep a sharp eye on the river for the streaks of dull looking water and whitecapswarning signs of the Gorge locomotive, The Wind.

Directions to Launch & LZ:
LZ: Find the blinking yellow light on Hwy. 14 in Bingen, WA. Follow 14 east through light to next right at Silver tanks and Marina sign pass Boat Ramp and go to the manicured point and parking. From here, one can look up to the uppermost field and see the south launch.
Launch: From Marina, exit right onto Hwy. 14 and go about 3.5 miles to a left on Courtney Rd. Follow steep road up to gravel and continue taking right turns following signs to Ya'at'e'eh. After about 2.5 miles, the road will narrow. Look for a right "Y" on H500 road. Road will become rutted and pass through trees to a clearing in sloping meadows. Park on side of road before the road climbs back into scrub oak stand. Directly above to the NW is the South Launch with a distinctive lone oak tree in the middle of a steep south facing slope. From parking area walk straight out 200 feet and cross fence through gate, be sure gate is closed, and then hike up to upper fence line and launch below fence above oak tree. The West Launch is around the corner to the northwest about 300 yards. Hike along fence to trail in scattered trees, up and right to open grass meadows. Ascend to west facing open fields and the Intermediate west launch from which you cannot see the LZ.

Site Protocol: The launches are on a ranch that tolerates paragliding and care must be taken with fences and private property owners that are adjacent. The LZ is in a public park, so be aware of other park users. Be cool; don't spook cows, be low key and fly safely.

Local Contacts:
Stan Harryman (site liaison)
Rick Higgins
Robert "CB" Schmaltz

Submitted by: Scratch & CB
Last Revision Date: 8/17/2002