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Blue Rock (Vallejo)
  
Pilots have been flying almost daily at Blue Rock, since April 1, 2009.
Flying is very consistent during the springtime.
The conditions can rowdy during the summer season, between noon and 4:00 PM, but
summer evenings are typically OK.
You can usually fly in smooth lift until sunset, during the fall.
Please fly with caution and follow these
instructions to insure that we can continue to fly at this newly opened site.
Link
to Joel McMinn's detailed Site Guide
Call 707.YOU.SOAR (707.968.7627) for current wind conditions and predicted
paragliding activity. You may leave a message and Joel will call you back.
Regulations
& Requirements
Current USHPA membership and a site intro are
required.
Recommended for P3+ rated pilots.
HGs are not permitted at
this time.
The land owners are insured by USHPA site insurance (provided
by BAPA).
Please be courteous, remove trash from the trail,
follow the access rules and make sure that others do so, as well.
Local Contacts for Site
Intros
Rob Black - 707.853.6912
Joe Cruz - 707.688.5483
Ron Lee - 707.333.8308
Joel McMinn - 707.758.1078
Chris Robbins - 925.785.2335
Klaus Schlueter - 415.425.7391
Sati Shaw - 510.459.4354
Launch
The upper north launch offers
smooth launches in all conditions. This launch provides the best options
to avoid sinking out, since the long southern traverse presents an opportunity to rise to the ridge-top.
This launch typically has a slight crosswind.
Pease note: Pulling your wing up at the top of this launch puts you at risk of
being dragged into a
nasty rock formation, so you should lift your wing up lower on the slope.
This launch also works for top-landings. However do not attempt to top-land
at the upper north launch unless you have strong strong side-hill landing skills.
You should make
several passes before attempting to top-land and, if in doubt, fly to the bottom
to land. Deep-flair landings on the top can result in stalling your wing,
even in light/moderately smooth evening air.
LZ
There are many LZ options, with minimal
turbulence or rotors. However, turbulence has been an issue since they
started construction of a Lowe's Home Improvement. The safest approach is
to land on the "hill" side of Columbus Parkway, particularly if you
are fighting a headwind to get to the college. Watch out for cows and be
aware that there are large rocks hiding in the brush.
Flights
Long flights are
typical.
Land-out
options are plentiful, between the primary ridge and Columbus Parkway. There
are few top and side-hill landing options.
"Active
piloting" is required.
This site works best in W or WNW winds.
Launch low on the slope in strong winds. Stay low and in front of
the ridge and watch out for
mechanical turbulence.
Use the upper launch only in light to moderate winds. Pilots have
experienced asymmetric collapses, even in mild/light conditions, due to thermals
mixing with wind.
The blowback risk is less than at the Channing Hill
site, in all wind conditions, but
there is more turbulence at Blue Rock.
"Whacks" are most common when weather
changes are underway (for example, when sea breezes overtake the mid-day
thermals).
Hike to the upper launch when the wind is calm at the bottom and use the lower launch
if you feel a good breeze while hiking up. Either way, you'll rise
quickly after launch.
It is recommended that only four pilots fly the ridge at one time in light
conditions, as ridge space is limited. Please be considerate -- don't
monopolize the ridge -- land and let others fly.
Directions
Take I-80 to the "Napa-37/Columbus
Drive" exit in Vallejo. Proceed East on Columbus Drive for a little
over a mile. The ridge will be on your left.
Access
Do not park or turn onto St. Johns Mine
("SJM") Road. Park on the right at Solano College. Pay the $1
parking fee at the
parking-kiosk.
Walk up SJM Road. Do not drive up
this road for any reason. While walking up the road, you will see the trails to
the low, mid and upper launches.
Do not
cross the fence at ridge top and stay out of fenced area near SJM/Columbus, as
the
frogs that live here are a protected species!
SJM Road is marked with NO TRESPASSING signs, but
it is actually a public road. Politely avoid conversations with any hostile or
authoritative locals. Simply inform them that your site intro included all
precautions and necessary observances.
The star-thistle on the trail gets nasty in
July, but the launch area is OK.
Everything west of the ridge fence, on both sides
of SJM Road, is owned by the City of Vallejo. Please help us keep this
site open by maintaining good relations with the City. Exercise caution
and be courteous at all times.
The Channing Hill site (which works
with east
winds) is two miles southeast of Blue Rock, as the crow flies. To get to
Channing Hill from Blue Rock, continue east on Columbus Parkway. Turn left at
the light, when you see the CVS pharmacy on the right. Drive uphill on Rose Drive,
past three stop signs. Turn left on Oxford. Take the second left on Channing.
Channing Circle Park is on the right. You must get a site intro before
flying at Channing Hill. Channing Hill is known for blowbacks, so
launch low on the hill until you know how strong the wind aloft is.
Google
Street View (SJM Road, looking from
Columbus Parkway, with the launches on the right)
Wind
on the Water (live wind vectors for the Bay Area - press F5 to refresh)
Weather
There is a wind meter on top of the Benicia-Martinez
Rail Road bridge, 7miles southeast of Blue Rock. Look for W or WNW, averaging 8-15 mph and gusting less than +4 mph. Pilots
have had excellent flying when the wind meter reads 20-25 mph, as well as when it reads
6-10 mph, especially in early evening glass-off conditions.
AccuWeather
WeatherBug
Wunderground
Forecast
Wunderground
Wind History
Note: Apparently, some pilots refer to
this site as "tick hill," so be sure to check for ticks at the end of
the day!
Photo Video & Track Links
Cool
Video
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USHPA Advanced Paragliding
Instructor & Observer