Cuesta Ridge
Overview
Launch is about 2000 MSL on this mountain site, overlooking
the city of San Luis Obispo, the nine sisters, and distant ocean view to
the SE and W. Usually a combination of ridge lift and thermals will be
encountered here. This site is best during prefrontal conditions. The coastal
influence usually limits the instability of the air, so getting above 3000
feet is rather rare; however, when this happens there is limited XC potential
in three directions. This site is good for hang glider, para glider and
RC sail plane pilots.
Wind requirements
There are two main launch areas. Both face SW and
will take wind from the S to the W. Both launches are treeless and will
work in virtually any safe velocity (0 to 30?). For this latitude and longitude,
this most often occurs before a front moves through.
Site rules
This site is located within National Forrest boundries;
therefore, all normal rules apply. Because of the very restricted private
property in the valley below, anyone not familiar with the site should
be introduced to it by a SLOSA member. This is often
a gentle site making it excellent for first altitude flights.
Cautions
This is a pretty basic, generally docile site. About
a half mile west of launch is a 600 foot antenae. The guy wires angle far
away from the base. Avoid them. The local airport is to the SE from
launch. Therefore, there is restricted airspace that must be avoided
down the ridge to the south of Hwy. 101. The ridge is clear but as soon
as you leave the ridge adjacent to the airport, you will enter the traffic
pattern. Also, straight out in front of launch, above and on the other
side of Bishop Peak (Los Osos Valley) is controlled.
Access
At the top of Cuesta Grade on Hwy 101, there is a
semi-paved turn off to the west, that leads to the launches. The lower
launch is generally used for paragliding. You can drive right to it from
a left turn off the paved road a couple of miles from 101. The grassy slope
launch is about 50 feet lower than the next little peak to the south of
the paved access road. This other launch is used by many hang glider pilots,
but requires a serious short carry to the small set up area on top of the
knob.
Expectations
On an average good day you might expect to fly ridge
lift with thermal bubbles rolling through that lift you to 2600 or 2800
feet MSL. On a realy good day, getting over three grand starts giving you
XC options. This is nice to have for going over the back. The canyon that
Hwy 101 enters the Salinas valley through and the high tension lines that
cross the area at the first good landing area keeps this choice adventurous.
Once Craig flew 30 miles! but generally you fly to the ground.
Heading up the ridge to the NW is a second option.
If there is consistant thermal activity, and the drift is from the S, this
becomes reasonable. Flights of around 10 miles upto Hwy 41 at Morro Bay
have been made.
If you head the opposite way, to the SE, be aware
that there is restricted air space very close to the ridge near the airport.
This means that you can't come out and land in that section. Therefore,
you must be able to make it all the way, or don't go for it. Flights around
15 miles to Lopez Lake have been made. In both directions along the ridge,
the easy access roads get very far away until the end.
On a clear day you can see Cone
Peak in Monterey County on the Big Sur coast from 2500 feet MSL. Another
fun flight is across the valley to Bishop Peak. Beware of entering restricted
air space beyond there.
Otherwise, you will probably just end up sinking
out and landing.
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