Dry Canyon

Getting there: 105°53'10.00'W x 32°55'38.50'N. Accessible by 4x4 only on a badly eroded US Forest Service Rd. Turnoff from main road is here: 105°53'6.71'W x 32°56'54.82'N. You will have to go to Google Earth to see the road.

Ratings: This site is P3 because you have a very short space (< 10 m) to launch because of rotor behind the ridge.

HG launch: This is where the F.S. road takes you. This is not the recommended launch for PGs. It is more difficult to inflate the wing there because of the steep hill and rotor. Make sure you have good kiting skills as PG pilot. NO TOP LANDING!

PG launch: From the HG launch, hike east to a rock band. There is an opening that allows to walk down to a col where the launch is located. It is clear of bushes and features a perfect 30-40 degrees rolling slope, no rotors, and slightly lower winds. HG to PG launch is a 5-7 min hike. 105°53'3.58'W x 32°55'35.33'N

You can soar the ridge for hours, go XC, or do a sledride of about 15 minutes. This is a fun site but there is substantial turbulence, especially in the spring and summer. Paragliders should launch before 10AM or after 4PM during the summer as it often gets blown out in between those times -- hang gliders only. In the fall and winter, PG is often good the whole day. For the longest PG flights, get to launch around noon or 1PM and wait until conditions are appropriate. This is not a crowded site.

For PG pilots, this web address has some more helpful info & photos: http://elpasoparagliding.com/SiteInfo/DryCanyon/dry_canyon.htm

Local club: Rio Grande Soaring Association (RGSA)
http://www.rgsa.info

Takeoff altitude: 2121m