Villa Grove
📍 Colorado , Chaffee County · Nearest city: Salida (29 km)
18 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2950 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
38.29150, -105.88200Takeoff 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 | 0.39 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Located near Villa Grove, CO in the San Luis Valley. Site faces SW, launch at approximately 9,300ft MSL, The primary LZ is at 7500ft MSL and is miles and miles of grass and short sage fields starting at the base of the Sangre De Cristo range. The Sangre De Cristos range from 12,000ft MSL to over 14,000ft MSL and run unbroken for over 60 miles to the south of launch, then a 15 mile gap and continuing into New Mexico. Both ridge soaring and thermal opportunities. Flying often possible year round. Great XC potential. Often called the little Owens Valley.
Rules and notes
P2/ H2 site and rmhpa membership. However, Mid day flights are restricted to P3 /H3 pilots because of turbulence and windy conditions. XC flights to the south are restricted by Great sand dunes national monument: DO NOT LAND THERE!
Pilot comments
This site is at the end of a large valley which tends to limit XC potential. Unless you are able to get VERY high, do not attempt to go beyond the ridge. Once you go past 90 deg. of the ridge (directly above) there is a chance you can't penetrate. Flights going 'over the back' are usually only attempted after reaching at least 16,000'. Mostly, XC flights are cross wind/ into the wind to the south.
Nearby sites
Bonanza (16) · Whale Hill (22) · Saguache Peak (7) · Salida Mine (19) · Tracy Mountain (26) · Mt.Princeton (27)