Paragliding 9 Mile _main, CA

Located in the Owens Valley, this launch site is occasionally used and is accessible via 9 Mile Canyon Road. It is a good spot for experienced pilots looking for cross-country (XC) flights. The takeoff window is short and occurs in the morning. To reach the launch site, you will need to hike for 25-30 minutes from the road, which is about 500 feet above ground level (AGL). Be prepared to launch by 9:30 AM, as the optimal window for takeoff lasts only 30-45 minutes. During this time, the wind conditions transition from being too light to too strong. There are no designated landing zones (LZ) other than hillside landings, which are challenging due to the presence of cactuses, Joshua trees, and rocks. Alternatively, you can aim to land on the road. Below the road, there is a canyon that is not ideal for landing. The glide ratio required to reach the main valley from the launch site is 8:1. The region is Ridgecrest, USA, and the site record is 253.0 km. For more information, you can check out this video: [YouTube Video]( ) Additional XC information can be found here: [Wilder Adventures](https://www.wilderadventures.com/launch/933/9-mile-inyokern)