Henninger Flats - No Safe Local LZ
📍 California , Los Angeles County · Nearest city: Altadena (4 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 752 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
34.19000, -118.08800Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:16 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Condiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~865 m, viento 12 km/h.
base ~865m · wind 12 km/hCondiciones marginales, base de cúmulos ~1297 m, viento 17 km/h, precipitación 1.1 mm.
base ~1297m · wind 17 km/h · precip 1.1mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~1866 m, viento 18 km/h.
base ~1866m · wind 18 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20❌ Not recommended · peak 45 at 8h
- Día muy estable (CAPE<50, LI>2) — sin térmicas
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
| 08 45 | 09 30 | 10 40 | 11 45 | 12 45 | 13 40 | 14 40 | 15 40 | 16 40 | 17 40 | 18 40 | 19 40 | 20 40 |
Peak 8h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 10.7 · BL top 180 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 851 m · 0°C at 3740 m · Pro score 54/100 · sun 28° over slope
2026-04-21❌ Not recommended · peak 45 at 20h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (62/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
| 08 40 | 09 40 | 10 40 | 11 40 | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 20 ☁️⚠️ | 14 10 🏔️ | 15 30 | 16 35 | 17 25 | 18 35 | 19 35 | 20 45 |
Peak 20h: CAPE 70 J/kg · LI 6.5 · BL top 810 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 1477 m · 0°C at 2320 m · Pro score 41/100
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 08:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 9.2°C · Td: 8.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 99 m
BL top: 180 m
0°C level: 3740 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 1 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.98 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.71 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Open for now but there is no safe LZ available at the moment. Anywhere that looks good is off-limits due to private property and would jeopardize the site. XC flying is the best bet to find a safe LZ. Please message a local before flying this site to get the low down (https://www.socalxcleague.com/ Aaron Price) Take-off can be found on the trail up to Henninger flats out of the Eaton Canyon Wash. As you are nearing the campground, you will be on a last leg of the trail heading West-ish. As you enter this leg there will be a small power line going up the ridge that you will cross underneath, about 40 yards past this you will see a steep dirt path that leads up about 10' to a grassier slope, this is your launch. There is one tree which divides the launch between a South launch and a West launch so choose carefully which was you want to launch, depending on the cycle it can blow both ways.
Rules and notes
I see a lot of aircraft and helicopters around so just be careful. I believe there is no flying in Pasadena but I think this is in Altadena so falls under a different set of regulations.
Pilot comments
There are high transmission lines that you need to clear, from launch you have ample height but if you don't hook into a thermal right away don't dally otherwise you may be stuck on the wrong side of them. As always, cross over the towers not the middle of them to ensure you have enough height to cross. With a bit of work this could be a really nice site. I bet a couple of hours in the LZ could clear out a really nice sandy landing area. I would love to see a few wind socks put up in key areas to get better wind direction when coming in to land and launching. The launch is currently nice and grassy but getting long. A few man hours up here would really clean it up nicely.
Nearby sites
Mt. Wilson (34) · Mount Lukens (29) · Avenue S (4) · Kagel (Sylmar) (58) · The 1500 (36) · Calabasas (8)