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click this link to import a collection of placemarks for this site into Google Earth.

ELEVATION: South Launch - 6300ft MSL.  Valley LZs approx. 1200ft MSL.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Maxwell exit on I5 (near Williams), go west to Stonyford.  Or, from Highway 20 take Bear Valley dirt road north to Lodoga, then follow directions to Stonyford.  From Stonyford, go west on M10, turn right at Fouts Springs, follow signs to top, - about 12 miles.  Road is steep, dirt, rough, 4WD advised.  1 hour to the top.

LAUNCHS:

• South launch:   Nice, big set-up area.  Dirt ramp, out over shallow rocky bowl, somewhat set back.  Winds are usually light. Watch for movement of streamer in pine tree out in front.  Typically winds will be crossing slightly from left, and this is OK, but be much more cautious if there is any degree of right cross.  (If winds are consistently crossing from the right you may want to check out the more west facing "west" launch, 1/3 mile north).  Launches are not difficult, but good aggressive flat slope launch technique is required.    Wait for a good cycle.  Not recommended in no wind.
• West Launch:  Steep shale slope near peak.  Easy with a little wind, but beware bushes in front.   There is an East launch 200 yards south of the West launch.  It's not difficult, though shallow, but is very intimidating and is seldom used.
• Potato Hill: Primarily used by paragliders. 6 miles south of St. John.

SEASON: Summer/Fall only (road may be snowed in until May or later).

RATINGS: This site is on public land, and thus no ratings are required, but common sense must prevail.  St. John is generally considered to be a H4 site.  H3s with good mountain flying experience can fly here, but it could be very risky to do so without a site introduction from a H4 pilot who knows the site well.  Paragliders do on occasion fly from St John but the general consensus is that it's not advisable and pilots should be P4 minimum.  Paragliders normally use nearby Potato Hill:.

CAUTIONS: Shallow south launch over jagged rocks and stumps.  THIS IS A REALLY BAD PLACE TO BLOW YOUR LAUNCH!   Long glide to bailout L.Z. over deep ravine.  If you get more than 500 ft below launch it's advisable to head out.  St. John can be big air turbulent.   Landings at Davis Flat campground en route to Fouts bailout are highly discouraged - the surface is very rocky, sloping, surrounded by trees, and is likely to be turbulent.

FLYING: Usually great thermal flying - very consistent.  It can be rough - big mountain air, often to 10,000 - 12,000ft or higher, 14,000ft is the record.  The "house thermal" is over the switchbacks east of launch.    Good XC site, but it's strongly advised that you and your driver familiarize yourself with the roads to the north, which is where most XC flights go.  XC record is 158.4 miles to Yreka, CA, Scot Huber, July 2004 (Here's the story).   9000ft MSL over the mountain is usually considered minimum height needed to leave safely.

LANDING: Most flights at St John are XC.  Winds out in the valley are variable but are usually light SE though NE.   Carry a landing streamer, or two.  For an emergency landing after launch there are some large sloping grassy areas a mile or so from launch, but no one has yet had to use them.  If you are really sinking out badly, you can set down in one of three round looking fields north of the Visitors' Center.   These are plenty big enough, but you have to walk your glider a couple of hundred feet up to the top of a ridge to get out of these fields (don't drive into the fields).  It's usually pretty easy to glide out to Stonyford. See (link needed) for LZs in town.  There are fields on the south side of the road en route to town, but we do not have permission to use them.  Don't land at East Park Reservoir - it's Bureau of Reclamation and their regulations specifically prohibit landing there.  You can also land at Fouts Springs where the paragliders land (NOT in the California Youth Authority camp!) but it's not that big, and unless you really want to, or sink out when soaring over Snow Mountain, there is no need.  Generally, landowners are friendly, but use common sense, don't land in fields with horses, don't climb over fences, don't drive into fields, etc.  Use courtesy at all times.

FACILITIES:

• Developed campgrounds: Letts Lake.  Restrooms, picnic tablese, fire pits, water. Fishing in the lake.
• Undeveloped (free) campground: East Park Reservoir, Fouts Spring, Dixie Glen.  No water.   Wilderness camping on top of St. John, near launch. Keep the area pristine, and ensure all fires are DEAD OUT.
• Resort: None. No hotels or cabins.
• Stonyford has a small grocery store/gas station and bar/cafe.

GENERAL: The Forest Service owns the launches, Fouts Springs, and Visitor Center LZs.  Hang gliders have a good relationship with the Forest Service.  Ramp improvements were made with a permit.  The entire area is a 'use' park with ORV's, fishing, hunting etc.  As with every new site, PLEASE check in and get advice about the conditions from a local pilot before flying here.  Conditions change.

RESTRICTIONS: Site located in Maxwell MOA, not active on weekends.  No special clearance needed at any time.  No restricted airspace or control zones along any XC path.

DO NOT LAND at East Park Reservoir!!  You will probably be cited if you do.

Along the south side of the road going into Stonyford is the large Flying S Ranch.
DO NOT LAND THERE! Click here for a map.
The owner has exotic animals and is very sure to have you arrested! (Besides which, who wants to get chased by an Ostrich?)

This ranch starts at the foothills and proceeds all the way into Stonyford.  There are a couple properties that we can land on south of the road, if we have to, but you need to know which ones are OK.  Do not use them unless you must.

POTATO HILL (PG): Potato Hill, near Fouts Springs, is used by paragliders.
For information on paragliding at Potato Hill, please go to the BAPA (Bay Area Paragliding Assn.) Potato Hill page.

EMERGENCY: The ranger station in Stonyford (530-963-3128) has the nearest access to emergency help.

Aerial photo courtesy Ernie Camacho