Hoover Ridge

Hoover Ridge is located near Detroit Lake in the Oregon Cascades. The west-facing launch is at approximately 3500' MSL on a southwest facing hill, and the main LZ is at approximately 1500' MSL. The main LZ is not visible from launch, but as soon as you reach the ridge to the left of launch it becomes visible. Fly here only when winds aloft are light in the Cascades, and watch out for valley wind speeds increasing during the day. Glassoffs happen. Hopping over the ridge to the right of launch puts you more directly into northwest winds and thermals, but the air can be turbulent due to the tight canyons in front.

We do not have permission from USFS to cut trees in front of launch.

Directions to Site:
From I-5 just south of Salem, take Hwy 22 east toward Detroit. Just before Detroit, turn left onto NFD 48 toward Breitenbush, etc. Set odometer to 0.
At 3.1, turn right onto 4695.
At 4.0, bear right, staying on main route.
At 4.5, go straight, not left.
At 6.5, go left on #130.
At 9.2, turn left
At 9.7 is the launch.
The road is very good all the way.

The main LZ is located next to the highway 3.5 miles SE of Detroit just before reaching the town of Idanha. There is an alternate LZ next to the lake, but depending on the water level and the season it can be small and marshy.

Note that the LZ is downwind from a row of trees, so on windy days stay toward the upriver end, or put wind indicators in the LZ before using it.

Contacts:

Reed Gleason
Ancil Nance

First flown by Jim Donaldson 7/22/95 - 62 minutes, and probably Harry Kaufman
Another recorded early flight, Harry Kaufman and Steve Roti 6/8/98

Submitted by: Reed Gleason
Last Revision Date: 9/18/2000