Glenwood - Red Mountain
2/14/25
Updated:
Morning ridge lift soaring.
Primary site developed & maintained by RMHPA
Min Rating:
Special Skills:
Radio:
P2
High Altitude, Turbulence
158.800
Glenwood Springs
Red Mountain launch faces east with a slight southern aspect. On a typical morning, cold air drains from the south (Aspen/ Independence pass area) to replace warm rising air from lower elevations to the northwest. Red Mountain faces south slightly to scoop this drain upwards and provide ridge lift.
In addition to this, the early morning sun heats the Red Mountain Launch providing thermal cycles to compliment this drain. These conditions can produce reliable ridge soaring flights of an hour or so. Typically, if the weather is reported clear in the morning, Red Mountain is flyable.
Early morning flights are often smooth and well suited for students. Later in the day, Red Mountain does get thermic cycles, but it does not face the correct direction into the prevailing westerly winds for reliable XC flights.
No miniwings or hang gliders are allowed on Red Mountain.
Glenwood - Red Mountain is one of the sites where RMHPA works closely with the land owner, which is the only way we can fly here. USHPA membership AND RMHPA membership is required - do your part!
Landing
The LZ is located between the high school stadium and the river, and has other hazards including pedestrians, a large pine tree just west of center, and trees on the border.
Be mindful of wind direction. The morning drain typically flows from the south meaning the typical landing pattern is oriented to land flying from the north (landing towards the town of Aspen). However, as the drain ends, so can the winds in the LZ. Expect at any moment that winds can switch directions.
Launch and Landing Map
Winds
PG: Min: 0, Ideal 8, Max 10mph. Gusts: 5mph.
Direction: Ideal: 60-120, Okay: 30-130 degrees.
Hazards
There is a telephone pole in the indirect path of pilots and can be easily disregarded and cause serious harm if not focused at all times until gained sufficient altitude.
This can be a big air site with active ridge soaring / thermal ish flying past 9:30am. Ridge soaring/thermalling “right of way” rules are to be followed at all times.
Development of thunderstorms is always a concern while flying in the mountains. This area of Colorado sees overdevelopment of clouds almost daily. Always re-evaluate plans to fly after 12:00 pm.
There is possibility for VFR general aviation traffic. Sled rides should be low enough to avoid conflicts. Thermal flights above launch altitude could encounter general aviation traffic.
XC Flights
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