Parapente Douglas Pass, CO

Douglas Pass, located at an elevation of 2682 meters with a height difference of 620 meters, is a regularly used paragliding site known for thermal soaring and potential cross-country (XC) flights. The site features a new takeoff area established around 2021. Douglas Pass is a mountain drive-up site offering big air and convergence flying in the afternoons, with ridge soaring in the evenings. It is situated on private land along Hwy 139, halfway between Loma and Rangely. A house thermal directly in front of the launch area helps pilots quickly gain altitude for XC adventures. The minimum pilot rating required to fly here is P3. The launch faces southwest, and pilots are advised not to disturb the bushes stabilizing the soil around the launch area. The landing zone (LZ) is a long, narrow section on the west side of the highway, with a barbed fence at the north end and a ditch at the south end. Winds in the LZ can switch unexpectedly, especially in the evenings. Douglas Pass is an advanced mountain site, and pilots must exercise caution. The area in front of the launch is a large south-facing bowl bisected by a small ridge. A glide ratio of 5 is required to reach the LZ. Soaring is possible in the evenings, but pilots should never soar below road altitude in front of the launch or ridge altitude if soaring the western wall. There are no landing options before the main LZ, and a wind indicator is required in the landing area before flying. Access to the launch and valleys is on private land, and all pilots must have an inreach on and tracking while flying and hiking out of the area. Pilots should add themselves to the `Colorado` group on https://www.xctrack.me before flying. Flyable conditions include winds below 15 mph on launch, with surface flows usually overcoming winds over the back less than 5 mph. The aspect of the launch is West-Southwest-South. For more information, visit the local club's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/500808716694045/ and the club's website: https://westernslopesoaring.com/douglas. You can also join the Telegram group: https://t.me/joinchat/Nl4t00wWhO4NMYU8jiu0Hg?fbclid=IwAR1PFsEzyjwbuvH1OVFXlXS1m7IPMTpbQPZRHZB4e5qP4YScA2EQU5Clf3U. For weather conditions, check the Douglas Pass Weather Station: https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KCODEBEQ23. Radio Frequency: 151.955 (No DCS) Telegram Chat: Western Slope XC: https://t.me/+198SZbImzfU2ZDZh