Paiute (Bishop – Owens Valley)

Paiute launches you into the Owens Valley of eastern California — a huge, harsh desert-mountain landscape of rocky spines and deep canyons. Launch sits at 8,000 ft ASL, 4,000 ft above the LZ, and you can climb another thousand feet still only halfway up the mountain. 30-mile flights are common; longer distances become out-and-backs. Use other Owens Valley launches for real open-distance XC. Ground clearance matters — there is little upside to 'scratching' the Whites and the potential for dust devils and violent thermals is high. Summer here is HG and sailplane territory only — the best paraglider window opens mid-September and closes by early November.

Launch & conditions

Big area with dirt and small rocks — and plenty of tiny bushes to snag lines. Launch at 8,000 ft MSL, 4,000 ft above the LZ. Thin air. Occasional dust devils through launch, especially late in the day.

Getting there & local rules

From Bishop: 20 min to the LZ, then 40 min to the top on a tire-eating 4x4 road. As of October 2018 the road was in extremely bad shape, washed out in many places — check current conditions. Landing: dusty field.

Local rules & hazards

The Owens Valley is exposed — wind direction and strength can change rapidly and dangerously. A landing in the mountains will likely keep you there overnight — carry enough water and supplies. Summer conditions are for HGs and sailplanes only: overdevelopment, gust fronts, powerful winds and violent thermals are common. Best PG window: mid-September to early November (weakens fast). Spring is variable and unpredictable. Maintain good ground clearance — dust devils and violent thermals are common near terrain.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Paiute (Bishop – Owens Valley), 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 Paiute (Bishop – Owens Valley) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.