Find automatically the best sessions nearby in 1 click. Simple, customizable and collaborative
Paragliding Rampart Ridge, WA
Best Conditions
Optimal Wind Direction
Optimal Speed (mph)
Description
Rampart Ridge, located on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass in Washington, USA, offers a unique paragliding experience with stunning views of the Cascades and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This site is regularly used for hike-and-fly, thermal soaring, and cross-country (XC) flights.
The launch elevation is 4500 feet MSL, with a steep gravel slope facing west. The landing zone (LZ) is at 2500 feet MSL, typically on a dry lake bed. The site is accessible via a gravel road suitable for 2WD vehicles.
Flying here requires strong H-3+ skills due to the uneven launch topography, trees, and potential for extreme rotor and thermic turbulence in the LZ. The best flying season is late summer and fall.
For those interested in XC flights, the site record is 123.3 km. The area offers multiple landing options, including near a lake, pond, local road, and along a river.
There are several notable landing zones:
- The Standard LZ, also known as the Carrier Deck, can experience significant sink and rotor.
- The Gobi offers smoother air and is a preferred spot for tandem landings.
- The Truck Stop LZ is an alternative when the lake covers the Standard LZ, though it can have variable air conditions.
- The Boat Ramp and Pounder’s Field are other options, each with their own challenges and conditions.
Be aware of the military training route that runs up the valley, which can bring fast, low-flying jets through the area. Contact Whidbey Naval Air Operations to check on scheduled flights.
For more detailed information, you can visit:
- [Rampart Ridge Hike & Fly Blog](http://mvkazit.blogspot.com/2019/11/rampart-ridge-hike-fly.html)
- [Wilder Adventures Rampart Snoqualmie Pass](https://www.wilderadventures.com/launch/1152/rampart-snoqualmie-pass)
- [Cloudbase Rampart Ridge](https://www.cloudbase.org/?page_id=321)
Watch videos of flights at Rampart Ridge:
- [YouTube Video 1](
Click to watch video
)
- [YouTube Video 2](
Click to watch video
)
Popularity: 26 Views
Next optimal sessions
(Calculated by the Spots Guru algorithm)
Thursday 15 May
05:27
20:35
2 days of Forecast per week are reserved for members.
