Woodrat Mountain

DIRECTIONS: 15 miles SW of Medford on highway 238 to Ruch.

SEASON: spring, summer, fall

LAUNCH: Elev: 3800' MSL, faces west and north. Road to top: dirt, 2WD, short route now goes up Bishop Cr. Rd. to join backside rd. (6.6 mi).

LANDING, Elev: 1700' MSL, grassy field, obstructions (pond, trees, fences), very thermaly at times.

Description: Woodrat Mountain is the home site of the Rogue Valley Hang Gliding Assocation, the local club that encompasses both hang gliding and paragliding. The large launch and set-up area owned by BLM; 50+ acre privately-owned LZ. Hang gliders have had altitude gains over 12,000 ft and XC flights over 50 miles from Woodrat.

PROTOCOL/RULES: USHGA membership required, reserve parachute, helmet, $5 for required helmet sticker and signed waiver. The upper launch requires Intermediate (Para-3) rating or Novice (Para-2) rating with instuctor approval. The Mid-level launch requires a Novice rating.

Local Contacts:

Nick Crane
Kevin Lee
Paul Murdoch

Original site report written by George Sturtevant, revised by Steve Roti 5/27/99