Cayucos California

Overview

This 700 foot hill provides an excellent place to enjoy smooth ridge lift for Hang Glider, Paraglider and Radio Control Sail Plane pilots. Because it is a smoothly rounded grazing area, it is top landable. Otherwise, landing is usually done on the beach below (about an easy 4 to 1 glide). Spring and fall provide the most consistant flying, but soarable days can occur year round. A two-wheel drive dirt road winds to the top. (NOTE: Inaccessable after rain for 2 days to several months)

Wind requirements

The main launch direction is to the NW. Twelve to fifteen MPH is usually enough for a hang glider to stay up. Less for a paraglider or sail plane. This site is also launchable in westerly to southwesterly directions, and is soarable in less than 10 MPH sometimes.

Penatration becomes a serious factor for launching paragliders above 25 mph and hang gliders above 30 mph. If you are already in the air, just stay within reach of the beach and then I would say 40 mph is the upper limit. This is because it is very difficult to tear down a glider above this velocity.

Site rules

This site is maintained and insured through SLOSA; therefore, membership in USHGA and SLOSA is required if you want to fly this site regularly. If you are just visiting, hook up with a local pilot for a site introduction. Of course, all other proper site ettiquite is required. This is private property and there is valuable cattle roaming around, so close all gates! Due to the height of the hill and the fact you must cross over power lines (they have been hit before) to reach the beach, this is a strict hang 3 site.

Cautions

Do not land in the ocean or surf! Crash on the land downwind if you have to. (Unless you want to kill yourself).

The first thing is do not try and drive up the road right after rain. This is prime real estate! The only reason it is not covered with houses is that it is very unstable. Erosion will eventually close this site, but please don't add to the problem.

Second is be aware of thermal blocks, especially in the summer. Due to extra turbulence and light, switchy winds, you might find yourself falling quickly out of the sky!

Do not soar over Morro Rock during Peregrine Falcon mating season (unless you are more than 4000 feet above it). This is generally spring to early summer.

Access

Two wheel drive dirt road. Sometimes the ruts are deep so trucks are better than passenger cars. It is about a 10 min turnaroud.

Expectations

This is a top landable fun site that is great for tuning your glider and trying new things. Getting 300 or 400 feet over launch will give you a wide area to explore. Crossing the Old Creek Road to the North of launch can get you on the ridge over looking Whale Rock Reservoir. The slope from the hill back to the reservoir is small, so it is best to follow someone who has been back there on your first trip.

It is much easier to fly to the ridge south of launch (because this is downwind). This place is nearly perpendicular to the coast line; therefore, fairly cross to the wind. Except at the point and the back bowl. The back bowl is the highest point around and sometimes thermals pop off the field down below. A very good day will get you to 2000 feet MSL.

On the rare SW day, the lift is usually smooth and abundant. 10+ MPH should be soarable in a hang glider. The SW bowl at launch is the only place to fly however, unless you leave to the N and try to get on the SSW facing ridges N of the town of Cayucos. The lift band is usually very wide, extending out past Hwy. 1 to the beach. Playground air!

Return to Local Sites.

Return to previous page.