Montaña De Oro State Beach
Overview
Montaña De Oro (MDO) is a coastal sand dune cliff site. It
is suitable for hang gliding, paragliding and RC sail planes. The
cliffs are a couple of miles long and roughly 50 to 200 feet high.
Hills rise 800 to 1500 feet some distance behind the cliffs. On a
good day you can get high enough to make it back and get 2000 to 3000 feet.
Not bad for launching from a 100 foot beach cliff! The veiw of Estero
Bay, Morro Rock, Morro Bay, the town of Los Osos, and the CA coast is wonderful.
Park in the paved parking lot and hike to the cliff (several hundred yards!)
Landing is usually done back near the road leading into the parking lot.
Landing on the beach is less turbulent but means a much longer hike (half
mile or more) back to your car.
Wind requirements
The main launch direction is to the NW. Fifteen to 20 MPH may be enough
for a hang glider to stay up. Less for a paraglider or sail plane. 20 to
25 is preferred for a hang glider.
Penatration becomes a serious factor for launching paragliders above
25 mph and hang gliders above 35 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 of the difficulty in tearing down a glider above
this velocity.
Spring is when you can expect the best conditions here.
Site rules
MDO is insured and operated by SLOSA, therefore membership is required.
To fly here a pilot MUST first call in to the local ranger station (772-7434)
and provide them with your colors and estimated time of flying. You
must be on their list (which is the list of SLOSA members). If you
are caught flying here without having checked in, you can recieve a hefty
fine and put the site in jeopardy for everyone else.
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 a State Beach, and is frequented by many users including hikers, equestrians,
boaters, beach goers, campers (at the campground), and park rangers. In
other words you are easily viewed by a wide variety of the general public,
so be a positive role model.
Cautions
Call the ranger station to check in prior to flying! 772-7434
Do not land in the ocean or surf! Crash on the land downwind if you
have to. (Unless you want to kill yourself). The beach is extremely narrow
or non existant in some areas at high tide.
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.
Landing back near the road is a downhill slope, usually turbulent, and
there are many 2 to 5 foot tall bushes. Keep your speed for control!
Access
Two wheel drive paved road leads to paved parking lot with bathrooms. From
there, hike several hundred yards to the cliff overlooking the beach.
The best place to launch is a little South (left) of the parking lot, therefore
hiking down the wooden walkway is the long way.
Expectations
Getting 300 or 400 feet over the beach can be expected on an average day.
A good day can get you 500 to 800 feet over the beach with a chance to
get back to the tree line and bigger hills. From there 2 to 3 thousand
feet is what you get on a great day. This site requires a bit of
effort to fly but can be very rewarding and fun. Generally there
is no XC done from this site, although if you get high enough you can land
a long way from the cliffs.
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