DESCRIPTION

West Launch: This is probably the money shot for flying in this area, with a 100 m cliff face, directed SW and a reasonably long soaring face when the stars align it could be great. I have not experience more then a sled ride here, as mentioned above the conditions were not great the last time I tried with wind dying down quickly below launch. East Launch: This is the first flight I tried in the area. I made two attempts, the first one I headed South after launch and ended up landing on the side of some rocks :( The next one I flew North along the ridge and cut out in front of a big rock formation and cruised that until I got over the main camping area and landed there. I would say this direction is not advisable and probably not soarable but by perhaps the most experienced of pilots in just right conditions (if at all) When I get a real soaring session out of the West launch it will probably bump it up about 1 or 2 stars. Until then I will leave it as is. Here's a video of a short flight along the West Ridge with a lap or two soaring: https://youtu.be/noYJgIXSnqA

ACTIVITIES

- paragliding
- hanggliding
- soaring

weather

From New Jack City - East Ridge: Watch for high winds aloft. Just 20 feet up and the wind had double on me and I was parked and trying to get aerodynamic to maintain my position. I would recommend flying in the late afternoon as things are calming down so you don't get stuck in anything. The wind is a little bit gusty as well which is to be expected from the desert.

access

From New Jack City - East Ridge: I always come up through Lucerne valley, taking Barstow Rd North. From the turn-off it's about 17 miles, you will hit a high point on the road there and the turn-off to New Jack City is just a couple of miles after that. Take a left at the turn-off onto a dirt/sand road, there will be a small structure that is fenced off with signs about a high pressure gas main. Just follow the signs and the most well trodden trails East until you get into the New Jack City Bowl, then trend South towards parking/camping. You can also get here by going South from Barstow, however I have never done this so can't tell you what that's like. I come from LA and GMaps says it is faster to go all the way to Barstow and then travel South but I'm not convinced.

regulation

None that I know of