Azure

Azure is a beautiful launch in Colorado into an open, arcing basin west of Kremmling — a lee site, so plan accordingly. Most of the surrounding land is State or BLM, but there are private parcels scattered throughout, so knowing exactly where you are matters. This is a lightly-flown launch: a couple of documented flights include a sledder to the Pumphouse LZ and a short soaring flight to Highway 114 — the potential is largely unexplored, added to the map in case more experienced pilots want to push further.

Launch & conditions

Large grassy area that rolls over into wildflowers, just after 214 splits off of 11. More launch areas along 214 as it wraps around the basin — explore.

Getting there & local rules

From Kremmling, take Hwy 9 south then right onto Trough Road / CR-1. Follow Trough Road to the Radium recreation area, cross the river towards the town of Radium; shortly after crossing the train tracks take a right on CR-11 and climb steeply out of the river valley to CR-214 on the right. Launch is just down 214 in the first large grassy area. Landings: large open areas along CR-114 at the bottom of the basin — verify private vs BLM/State parcels before committing. For a longer sledder, land across the Colorado River just south of the Pumphouse Campground in a large open BLM field.

Local rules & hazards

Lee site — watch for building W winds in the late morning and standard afternoon overdevelopment. The Pumphouse LZ is across the valley and surrounded by larger terrain — expect rotor with significant winds, so treat it as a low/no-wind LZ. Do not vandalise, trash or burn — otherwise it's BLM land.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Azure, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Azure with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.