Pine
Mountain
Caution: Strong desert thermals and dust devils at all times of year. Pilots have been hurt at this site because they flew when conditions were stronger than they expected. Fly only with an experienced pilot. Flyable from spring through fall, but mid-day flying during the summer is strongly discouraged.
Description of Launch Sites:
• Southeast Bowl is SE facing, 1400 ft high. Works well during
calm high pressure or when a high pressure cell is located east of the
area. Walk up from the bottom of the southeast bowl or walk east (traverse)
from the hairpin on the road down the south side.
• Observatory Area: South facing, 1200 ft high. Should only be flown
during calm conditions due to canyon landing. Drive to launch, hike back
up.
• North Training Hill: NW facing, up to 500 ft high. Located beneath
the North launch off the summit. Take a left at the "T" and follow the
road southward. Keep an eye out for the windsocks at the base of the hill.
Walk-up site.
• Summit: The most popular site of the area, offering N, NW and
W launches which are the most common wind directions during high pressure.
At 1800 feet above the desert floor, this is the highest of Pine Mountain's
launch sites. It should be noted that the local hang glider pilots paid
for the road to the summit. Please drive slowly and be courteous to other
vehicles using the road. Windsocks will often be found at the "Y" and
"T" landing zones.
Directions to Site: Take highway 20 East from Bend to Millican store. Take next right at Pine Mountain Observatory Road. Various launches can be found by driving to the summit, observatory area, and back down the south of the mountain and around to the SE bowl area.
Local Contacts:
Phil
Pohl (site liaison)
Frankie
Aspinwall
George
Young
Submitted by:
Jon Goldberg-Hiller, Adapted from Peter Keane, "High Desert Paragliding,"
Paragliding, The Magazine, Vol. 2, #3, May/June 1991.
Last Revision Date: 8/17/2002