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Driving Directions:
Take highway 101 North to Highway 20 (12 miles north of Ukiah). Exit Highway 20 East to Upper Lake (about 15-20 min.). Take a left on Main Street, which turns into Middle Creek Road before turning into Elk Mountain Road. You can turn left anywhere in Upper Lake and it will lead you to Elk Mountain Road. The LZ is at Middle Creek Campground (on the right) in the Mendocino National Forest at the end of the valley, just before you start up hill to launch. From the LZ, drive North up the paved road to the highest point. Turn West (left) onto the steep and gnarly 4WD dirt road to launch (20 - 30 minutes).

Usage/Requirements:
Hang Gliding and Paragliding. Some supervision for H2/ P2 is suggested. No prior notification, sign-offs or fees required.

Season:
Flying is best in the spring and fall. It is flyable in the winter, if the road is accessible. Be especially careful midday when it is HOT, the LZ can be very hazardous.

Launches:
SW or NW, two launches. The north launch should not be used by H2/P2 unless under direct supervision of instructor. Very rough 4WD road to top, good ground clearance recommended. The launch and the primary LZ is on National Forest land. The road to launch off Elk Mountain Road is private land we have permission to use the road, motorcycles do NOT.

Elevation:
Launch   4100' MSL    N 39§ 16' 37"  W 122§ 56' 27"
LZ         1500' MSL    N 39§ 15' 47"  W 122§ 57' 69"

Rating:
H3 / P3, H2 / P2 with instructor or supervision. Good first high altitude site in spring or fall

Cautions/Hazards:
There are trees between launch and the LZ. There are new (Aug. '06) power lines in the "Alternate LZ" which is just past the main LZ around the first bend in the creek bed. If you head toward Upper Lake down the creek bed be aware of power lines that cross the creek bed. Watch for dirt bikes when landing in the LZ.

Parking:
There is plenty of parking at launch and in the LZ.

Radio Information:
147.495 MHz. (Sonoma Wings drive frequency)

Emergency:
The nearest hospitals are in Ukiah and Clearlake. The closest telephone is in Upper Lake. Some cell phones work in the LZ and most work at launch.

Facilities:
There is camping in the LZ, Middle Creek Campgrounds, with vault toilets, running water and paved campsites ($10 per night plus $2 for extra vehicles). Cell coverage is spotty at the campground. There is lodging in Upper Lake (Super 8), Nice (rhymes with "geese") and Lucerne.

Road Conditions:
Paved roads except for the rugged 4WD dirt (about 10 minutes) road to launch, which is very rough and very steep in places (with rattlesnakes during the summer).

Affiliation and Maintenance:
Sonoma Wings.

On the west side of Clear Lake, on Scotts Valley Rd. is a field owned by Elizabeth Wise.
DO NOT LAND THERE!
Ms Wise has asked us to not land on her property. She has threatened to call the Sheriff if you do.

If you go as far as White Rock Mt., near Blue Lakes, on your way around Clear Lake, you may find yourself flying along Scotts Valley Rd. Ms Wise's field is the first landable field as you leave the hills. If you're getting low, it would be tempting to land there. Please don't. Check This Page for maps of her field. so that you'll know what to avoid.

The locals are generally very friendly, but use common sense, be courteous, and don't climb over fences.

Records:
Scot Huber flew 90.5 miles past Dixon May 29, 2006.