New Jack City - West Ridge
📍 California , San Bernardino County · Nearest city: Barstow Heights (23 km)
21 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1218 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
34.66730, -116.99300Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 0 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.00 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.62 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
From the center of New Jack City, by the outhouse and main camping area, look West and you will see an old decommissioned road heading West over the ridge. Hike up there, it's about 120m of vertical gain, so about 10 - 20 minute hike depending on how fast you are. At the top is a post and a relatively flat area. Last time I was here I tried to kick out any small plants and cacti and get rid of any rocks that looked like line snaggers. The West launch *MAY* be suitable for hang gliders, but good luck getting it up there. I don't hang glide so I don't know what details you are looking for, but I would guess that it goes nicely when it's on. You can launch either East or West. East is not so good, very turbulent and I would recommend checking out the East Ridge if winds are from the East. Launching West is where the best flying is to be had but I've yet to soar it, just one short sled ride. I found the winds died down drastically about 20m down even though it felt perfect at take-off.
Rules and notes
None that I know of
Pilot comments
West Launch: This is probably the money shot for flying in this area, with a 100 m cliff face, directed SW and a reasonably long soaring face when the stars align it could be great. I have not experience more then a sled ride here, as mentioned above the conditions were not great the last time I tried with wind dying down quickly below launch. East Launch: This is the first flight I tried in the area. I made two attempts, the first one I headed South after launch and ended up landing on the side of some rocks :( The next one I flew North along the ridge and cut out in front of a big rock formation and cruised that until I got over the main camping area and landed there. I would say this direction is not advisable and probably not soarable but by perhaps the most experienced of pilots in just right conditions (if at all) When I get a real soaring session out of the West launch it will probably bump it up about 1 or 2 stars. Until then I will leave it as is. Here's a video of a short flight along the West Ridge with a lap or two soaring: https://youtu.be/noYJgIXSnqA
Nearby sites
New Jack City - East Ridge (4) · Ord (39) · Blackhawk (8) · Mentone (53) · Crestline (San Bernardino) (68) · Marshall (San Bernardino) (69)