Tumwater Mountain, located in Leavenworth, Washington, offers a fantastic paragliding experience with two main launch sites. The site is accessible by vehicle, with a short walk from the parking area to the launch. Tumwater Mountain is a private site requiring a current USHPA P3 (or higher) rating and registration with the Tumwater Mountain Flight Park. A site orientation is mandatory for all pilots.
The new launch at Tumwater Mountain is just a few minutes' walk from the parking area. This northeast-facing launch works best from morning to early afternoon. Pilots must have a current USHPA P3 (or higher) rating, register with the Tumwater Mountain Flight Park, and complete a site orientation. SIV training and a satellite tracking device are highly recommended.
The traditional launch site is located on the south end of Tumwater Mountain, approximately a 25-minute hike from the parking area. This site is on Forest Service land and is unregulated. The launch area is narrow with several obstacles below, so good launching skills, SIV training, a satellite tracking device, and a site orientation from an experienced pilot are recommended.
Leavenworth features two main launches: Icicle and Tumwater. Icicle is exclusively hike-and-fly, while Tumwater is accessible by road and used for tandem flights. Tumwater has two launch areas: one requiring a 20-30 minute hike along the ridge and another just 5 minutes from the parking area. The closest launch requires a P3 rating, site orientation, and a signed waiver.
Tumwater Mountain often experiences lift above 10,000 feet, with freezing air even in the middle of summer when valley temperatures exceed 100°F. The private launch is above the public launch, and pilots typically fly toward the public launch to gain lift.
The flight plan for Tumwater Mountain includes:
- Starting from Tumwater.
- Moving along the ridge to the south and climbing above the south-facing slope to 6,000 feet.
- Jumping to Icicle and climbing to 10,000 feet.
- Jumping to the Wedge, reaching 12,000+ feet, and moving along the ridge to Mount Stuart.
- Returning the same way without dropping into the valleys.
- If necessary, escaping toward Cashmere.
Important notes:
- Dropping into the valley can pull you into the mountains.
- Most valleys have no landing areas.
- There are no official landing zones near Icicle; all landings are on private property, and their status changes frequently.
- Landing on the fish hatchery is prohibited.
For more information, visit:
- [Tumwater Leavenworth Paragliding](https://www.wilderadventures.com/launch/784/tumwater-leavenworth)
- [Leavenworth Paragliding Club](https://www.leavenworthparagliding.com/)
- [Weather Information](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/wa/leavenworth)
- [Windgrams](http://wxtofly.net/v2/windgrams.html#Tumwater)
Watch a video of Tumwater Mountain paragliding: [YouTube Video](
Click to watch video
)
