Bingen

Description of Site: Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Bingen is Gorgeous. A deluxe manicured grass LZ at the Bingen Marina from a 2100' sled ride with soaring potential with a reasonable drive around makes this one of the gorge's premier sites. With south and west launches it works best sunny & calm, but also works in very light east or west winds (under 10 mph). On good thermal days, gains of 2500' are common with XC potential to the east. if there is a wind, westerlies are best from the Intermediate west launch, east winds tend to be rough and unpredictable making for crosswind launches and tumbling air at the south launch. Unfortunately, Bingen bisects the high wind windsurfing capitol of North America and private property. If there are whitecaps on the river at Bingen Marina or a wind line is moving from the west, it is blown out. Like all other Gorge sites, pilots must keep a sharp eye on the river for the streaks of dull looking water and whitecapswarning signs of the Gorge locomotive, The Wind.

Park across the road from the log cabin. The trail starts walking downhill and turns back uphill as it goes around the property owned by the log cabin. Please do not cut across their property as it only takes 1 minute longer to go around (if that)

As you approach the gate at the cattle fence, please remember to close it and latch the chain behind you. The hike up to the South launch is 5 -10 minutes from the car. You'll see a large flat launch area west of a large lone oak tree. This launch is suitable only in East or South winds. (most likely East) Make sure you have visited the LZ prior to going to the launch as the Columbia River Gorge is famous for higher winds in the LZ. If it's windy and you can't kite the LZ, don't launch off the top.

If the wind is out of the west, continue along the trail for another 15 minutes and you'll end up at the west launch.
This is a great launch for spring thermal and ridge soaring. Keep in mind from this launch, you cannot see the LZ.
Make sure you keep an eye on the water as wind moves in from the west like a freight train. If you can see white caps 4 miles away near the hatchery, then you need to top land or get down fast. Keeping an eye on the river is critical.

Site Protocol: The launches are on a ranch that tolerates paragliding and care must be taken with fences and private property owners that are adjacent. The LZ is in a public park, so be aware of other park users. Be cool; don't spook cows, be low key and fly safely. Lock the gate behind you and be aware gnarly bicycles may appear at any time flying down the hill.

Takeoff altitude: 687m