Nelson's Launch

Nelson's Launch is a small hike-up clearing at the top of the Ron Coleman trail from the valley, where it meets the ridge trail overlooking west El Paso — inside Franklin Mountains State Park in Texas. It launches west. The terrain out front is convoluted: gullies and canyons demand conservative flying and honest ground clearance. Every pilot must hold current USHPA membership and register before flying in the park (record your USHPA number on the entrance form).

Launch & conditions

Small clearing where the Ron Coleman trail from the valley meets the ridge trail overlooking west El Paso. Launch west. Note: the ParaglidingEarth marker may not be precisely placed — trust the site info, not the pin.

Getting there & local rules

Access details are managed by the local club — follow the published site rules. Every pilot must hold current USHPA membership and register in the park entrance form (record your USHPA number).

Local rules & hazards

The terrain out front is complex — many gullies and canyons. Fly conservatively, avoid scratching, and stay high above the topography. In wind above 12 mph and more southerly than 240° — especially with thermals — anywhere at or below launch there is a very real risk of turbulence strong enough to cause deflations, or sudden sink that can push a pilot into terrain. In wind more southerly than 240°, do NOT fly south of launch until well above the ridge to the south, and always be ready to deal with a deflation. Franklin Mountains State Park entry rules apply — no flying without USHPA + park registration.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Nelson's Launch, 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 Nelson's Launch with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.