Site ideas for a big Western US soaring trip next season

Bob Adams airport, the municipal airport operated by the City, is ~2mi NE of Eagle Soaring airfield and offers a paved runway.
As a new resident of Steamboat Springs I've only heard of one motorglider calling the pattern there.
You're correct that activity there is light and self-launching shouldn't be a problem.

I trust the airport manager there is more hospitable than was the case ~12 years ago. It ranks as the second-worst treatment I've ever witnessed. We wound up moving, and made a couple of launches (the first ones in gliders, I expect) from what is now Eagle Soaring.

In terms of soaring possibilities, both these sites are first-rate.

On 12/2/20 8:53 AM, John Good wrote:
Bob Adams airport, the municipal airport operated by the City, is ~2mi NE of Eagle Soaring airfield and offers a paved runway.
As a new resident of Steamboat Springs I've only heard of one motorglider calling the pattern there.
You're correct that activity there is light and self-launching shouldn't be a problem.

I trust the airport manager there is more hospitable than was the case ~12 years ago. It ranks as the second-worst treatment I've ever witnessed. We wound up moving, and made a couple of launches (the first ones in gliders, I expect) from what is now Eagle Soaring.

In terms of soaring possibilities, both these sites are first-rate.


I Haven't flown out of the municipal airport, but believe it's got lots
of private jets. Yampa Valley used to be a good alternative, but it's
got commercial traffic now.

Highly recommend Craig, good runway, friendly people, easy to get east
over Steamboat into North Park. Flew there a couple years ago.

On Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 10:11:27 AM UTC-8, Airport Bum wrote:
So, it is raining outside and I haven't been soaring in a long time, so naturally I am thinking about soaring next season.... I'll bet I am not the only one.

The big plan is a soaring safari to the Western US next season. I may be able to take as long as 2+ months. I am looking for ideas for unique/new/underflown as well as classic soaring sites to try. And maybe other folk would like to hear ideas for such sites also, hence this post.

I fly a self-launcher (ASH-26E) so I don't need a towplane, but I do like the company (and buddy system) of other soaring pilots. I like to camp on the airfield in my simple truck camper (nice to have an electric power hookup). I will need to find a shower at least every few days, haha.

I would like to assemble a long list of possible sites, I'll be watching the weather and soaring conditions and deciding where to go based on what looks good at the time. And where fun folk and flying might be.

Here is where I have been on previous soaring trips, all of which were great fun and are on my do-again list:

Parowan Utah
Moriarty New Mexico
Montrose Colorado
Salida Colorado (although field elevation at 7500 ft is at, and on hot days above, my climb performance limits)
King Mountain Idaho (open next year, I hope)
Most of the Southern California desert sites, but many years ago....

Places that I have heard are great and want to try some day:

Ely Nevada
Tonopah Nevada
Nephi Utah
Boulder Colorado
Rifle Colorado
Logan Utah
Mackay Idaho
Kingman Arizona (hello Paul!)

Please post comments on these sites and primarily more site ideas, as well as info on any camps or meets you know about that might not make it into the SSA calendar. Or PM me if you don't want broad publication of these camps/meets, understandable. Include as much detail as you can! Thanks!

Cheers,
Jim J6

We’re having an operation in the Methow Valley (Washington) June 19-27. One tow plane will be operating out of Twisp and 2-3 out of Methow State. I’ve flown out of Ephrata some. The two airports in the Methow valley are much better! Self launchers are encouraged to launch out of Methow State.

Charlie
AS