Paragliding Hull Mountain_Lower Start

Hull Mountain, located in the Mendocino National Forest, 25 miles northeast of Ukiah, California, and 7 miles northeast of Lake Pillsbury, is a scenic yet rarely used site primarily for hang gliding rather than paragliding. The main takeoff point is Timberline Launch, situated at an elevation of 5800 feet MSL, with Hull Peak reaching 6800 feet MSL and the landing zone (LZ) at 1800 feet MSL. Access to the launch sites requires a 45-minute drive up a rough dirt road, best navigated with a 4WD vehicle. Be cautious of motorcycles on the road. Timberline Launch faces SSW and offers an easy launch with a nice slope and a vertical drop of 4000 feet. Ideal wind conditions range from 0 to 15 mph, with 8 mph being optimal. There are two additional launch points: Rockpile and Turn-in-the-road. Rockpile Launch, with a vertical drop of 5000 feet, is easier for newer pilots to reach the LZ. Turn-in-the-road Launch is not recommended for beginners due to its southeast wind conditions and more challenging terrain. The flying season typically runs from May through October, with snow determining the accessibility of the launch sites. Northerly winds become more common in late fall. Pilots should be at least H3 for hang gliding and P4 for paragliding due to the long glide to any LZ and the challenging conditions. Caution is advised due to typical mountain air and turbulence. Pilots must follow ridges and account for sink, with a 5-to-1 glide ratio to the first good LZ and 6-to-1 to the primary LZ. Winds at altitude can be variable, and strong headwinds from the Eel River Valley and Lake Pillsbury can degrade glide angles. The LZ near the lake can also experience strong and turbulent winds. Thermal flying is common, with house thermals over the Peak, Lower Launch, Red Spot, and the House. Cross-country flying is challenging due to the surrounding mountain terrain but possible for experienced pilots familiar with the area. Landing is best done by the lake at 1800 MSL, where the wide, flat, grassy area provides consistent afternoon winds for easy landing. Be cautious of driftwood and turbulence near the trees. Landing on the airstrip is not recommended due to aircraft use and bumpy conditions. Facilities include developed campgrounds like Fuller Grove, Pogie Point, Navy Camp, and Sunset, offering restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits, water, and boat ramps. Oak Flat provides undeveloped camping with limited amenities. Pillsbury Resort offers cabins, groceries, and boat facilities. Soda Creek store provides basic groceries, ice, vehicle gas, and phone services. For emergencies, use the Willits Repeater (145.130, offset -600kHz, CTCSS tone 103.5) and key 911 to access emergency services. The Soda Creek Store can be reached at 707-743-2148. Hull Mountain is a great summer flying site, with soarable conditions almost daily. The lake is ideal for swimming, though winds can get strong in the afternoon. The area can become crowded on Memorial Day and the 4th of July weekends. For more detailed information, visit [Sonoma Wings Hull Mountain Site Guide](http://sonomawings.com/site-guides/hull-mountain/).