JEAN RIDGE
Jean Ridge is a ridge soaring site that faces the prevailing winds and provides excellent conditions for flying. It has long been a favorite of Hang Gliders and Paraglider Pilots from the Las Vegas area.
It's a flat topped, 300 ft. tall, 1 mile long ridge that faces Southwest across Jean Dry Lake Bed. The hill is composed of soft sand and rock. Several Paraglider launch sites have been cleared on the face of the ridge to various elevations. There is dirt road access to both the base and the top (4 Wheel drive recommended for the road to the top). Hiking to the mid hill launch zone is usually required, but with good kiting skills, it is an easy traverse. When the wind is blowing sufficiently for flying, it allows the pilot to kite a paraglider up to the launch zones - sure beats hiking.
Launch Elevation: 3070 Ft MSL
Type Of Site: Ridge Soaring
Vertical Height: 300 Ft
Access: Easy to Moderate
Location: N 35.8117 W -115.2157
DIRECTIONS TO JEAN RIDGE
TAKE INTERSTATE 15 SOUTH TO EXIT #25 - SLOAN
GO LEFT UNDER FREEWAY TO LAS VEGAS BLVD. TURN RIGHT SOUTH AND DRIVE APPROX: 6 MILE TO PAVED ROAD ON LEFT. TURN LEFT AND DRIVE APPROX: 2 MILE TO WHERE THE PAVED ROAD START TO TURN LEFT BUT GO START ONTO THE DIRT ROAD. DRIVE THE DIRT ROAD APPROX: ½ MILE TO FORK IN ROAD. TAKE LEFT FORK TO BASE OF JEAN RIDGE.
We have several Mountain sites and one ridge site. All of the sites are approximately 30-45 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip. Our ridge site can be flown by all levels of pilots, its a great place to fly for hours and enjoy the beautiful desert sunsets. The mountain sites are for more advanced pilots, and are very dynamic in the summer (we are in the middle of the desert!). These sites are intermediate and require a P-3, H-3 rating. These are excellent cross country flying sites.
THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. Paragliding and Hang Gliding are forms of aviation with all of the inherent and potential dangers that are involved in aviation. No form of aviation is without risk, and injuries and death do occur in paragliding and hang gliding, even to trained pilots using proper equipment. Paragliding and hang gliding are classed as an 'extreme sports', and an 'adventurous' and 'dangerous' activity, which carries with it - like all adventure sports and flying/aviation activities - an associated risk of possible serious injury or even death. If you are not prepared to take this risk, you shouldn't participate in paragliding and/or hang gliding - or participate in any 'extreme sport', 'adventurous' or 'dangerous' activity, or flying / aviation activities. The links on this website are provided as a courtesy and may or may not be accurate. The viewer is solely responsible for verifying the accuracy of any of these outside links. AGAIN, THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.
Las Vegas - Flying Sites
GOODSPRINGS
Lower Potosi (Also known as the "Goodsprings Site" due to the proximity to the town of Goodsprings) is a medium sized mountain that primarily hosts radio antennas.
This is an ideal spot for desert thermal flying. Some of the longest cross country paraglider flying in Southern Nevada originates from this spot. The Nevada state record is just short of 62 miles and started at this site. Even in stable conditions, it takes about 15 minutes of gliding to reach the desert floor.
There are two launches at this site. The front side launch, which faces Las Vegas, is used when the winds are from the East. The back side launch is used when there are winds from the South. The launch area is not very difficult, but care must be taken to avoid aborted launches due to the steepness of the launch area.
The landing zone is wide open with dirt road access all along the base of the mountain. The most convenient landing spot is to the East, and can be reached by flying off launch and following the ridge. Watch out for power lines near the main dirt road, and joshua trees scattered over the desert, but otherwise it is an excellent place to land.
Launch Elevation: 6000 Ft MSL
Type Of Site: Mountain Slope / Thermal Flying
Vertical Height: 1800 Ft
Access: Easy (Truck Recommended)
Location: N 35.8946 W -115.4958
The best conditions for flying start in the Spring and continues through Fall. A wind in the 5-12 MPH range on either launch makes for ideal conditions. Summer time in the desert is much more dramatic and we usually launch early in the day.
Please speak to any of the local members before flying the site. We would love to fly with you, provide briefings, and get waivers signed. This is an USHPA insured site, and requires a minimum of a P-3 rating.
DIRECTIONS TO GOODSPRINGS
TAKE INTERSTATE 15 SOUTH TO EXIT #12 - JEAN
GO WEST FROM FREEWAY APPROX: 7 MILES TO THE TOWN OF GOODSPRINGS. TURN RIGHT ON ESMERALDA, TURN LEFT ON PACIFIC. FOLLOW PACIFIC AROUND TO THE RIGHT AND ON TO THE DIRT ROAD, (KINGSTON RD). DRIVE APPROX: 3.4 MILE TO FORK IN ROAD. TAKE RIGHT FORK TO LAUNCH.