Conditions Optimales
Description
Pine Mountain, Ventura, CA
Region: USA
Site Record: 185.5 km
Launch
The south side launch features a smooth, unobstructed 45-degree dirt ramp at 7000 ft. This launch is into a bowl, with both sides typically generating thermals. Thermal cycles generally make the south side launchable, but crosswinds or winds from behind can create challenging conditions. The south launch requires about a 4 to 1 glide to reach the landing zone (LZ) 3000 ft below. Due to the gradual terrain slope, reaching the LZ can be difficult for low-performance gliders in strong headwinds or sink, and occasionally even for high-performance gliders.
The north side launch is a small path cut through brush and trees at 5500 ft, with obstructions on both sides. This launch is typically used in ridge soaring conditions or when thermals are too weak to overcome the north wind. When the wind is strong enough to necessitate this launch, it can be turbulent. The first usable LZs are about a 4 to 1 glide out (2000 ft below launch) and may be challenging to reach in ridge soarable headwinds. Several smaller ridges between the launch and the north LZs can generate moderate lee-side rotors in ridge soaring conditions.
Landing
The primary south side LZs include a 150 ft by 200 ft dirt turnout from Highway 33 and a large, brush-strewn field adjacent to Highway 33, about half a mile northwest. Both LZs are near a riverbed cut through a canyon between two ridges, with winds typically funneling northwest or southeast. These LZs may be thermally active on soarable days.
The primary north side LZs include a large fenced field with a windsock behind the Ozena ranger station and a large field at the corner of Highway 33 and Lockwood Valley Rd. Many other north side LZs exist along Highway 33 north of Ozena, including fields and creek beds west of the road. Fields along Lockwood Valley Rd., paralleling the launch ridge 1 to 2 miles north, are also landable, though some contain power lines.
Vehicles
Any vehicle can access the launch via paved or smooth dirt roads. Roads may be impassable in winter due to snow.
Regulation
No specific regulations, but Hang 3 is recommended for the south launch and Hang 4 for the north side.
Conditions
Most sunny days from spring through fall should be at least scratchable. Typical summer days are good for 9,000 to 11,000 ft (MSL), with 12,000+ ft on better days. Ideal conditions include unstable days with tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Coastal conditions are almost irrelevant as the site generates its own weather. Strong north winds are typically unfavorable, and stable high pressure can be unexciting. On moist days, aim to launch by 11 AM or 12 PM to avoid over-development.
Directions
From Ventura: Take 101 to Highway 33. Follow 33 north to the traffic light at Route 150. Take 150 one block west and turn right at the gas station onto La Luna Ave. Follow this road until it ends, then go left on 33 again. Follow the road for approximately 25 miles and turn right at the summit of 33 onto Pine Mountain Rd., just before 33 starts descending into Ozena. The launch is 100 yards past the gate where the road turns to dirt.
For more details, visit: [Topa Flyers Site Guide](https://topaflyers.com/site_guide/siteguide.html#pine)
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