Diablo Pilots: No Landing Until Further Notice for the Athenian LZ
Athenian School has asked that we not land at the school.
Until further notice, please do no land there.
We will post any updates here.
Mt. Diablo
Last updated on February 13th, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Quick Overview:
Mount Diablo offers an excellent variety of soaring experiences to the advanced pilot. Pilots regularly soar Diablo’s shear rocky peaks, rolling hills and ridges, gnarly canyons and grassy pastures; sometimes all in the same flight.
As a site open only to USHPA advanced rated Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots, good flying skills and judgement are the keys to rewarding flights at Mount Diablo.
Note: Be certain you are familiar with site rules and meet all requirements before attempting to fly Mt. Diablo.
Site Committee Chair: Robert Moore
Hang gliding – H4
Paragliding – P4
Mini-wings not allowed
Pilot Requirements
To fly at Mt. Diablo, pilots must:
- Be a member of USHPA
- Be a full or visiting member of the Wings of Rogallo Northern California Hang Gliding Association Inc.
- Have an Advanced rating (P4/H4)
- Sign the Mt. Diablo Waiver
- Sign in at the ranger station
- Receive a site intro from an experienced pilot who has previously flown at Mt. Diablo
Juniper Launch Characteristics
Located at the Juniper Campground on Northgate Road, this launch is a smooth, rolling hillside. Launches are possible from SSW to WNW in light to strong winds.
Juniper Launch is at 2,900′ MSL and approximately 1900′ above the landing area.
Glide Ratio Required for LZ
Thousand Footer 4.4:1
Paraglider Recommended Wind Limits
Best wind direction is SW to W
Minimum: 0mph Ideal: 5mph Maximum: 15mph
Hang Glider Recommended Wind Limits
Best wind direction is SW to W
Minimum: 0mph Ideal: 7mph Maximum: 20mph
American Tower Launch
The RDS/American Tower launch site faces north northwest, and can be launched in light to moderate northeast to northwest winds. The launch is 3,600′ MSL and approximately 2900′ above the landing areas. The primary landing area is at the south-western end of Mitchell Canyon Road. Launches are steep drops from the edge of the level set-up area.
NOTE: Due to a separate Special Use Agreement with the American Tower owners, access is limited. To manage this sensitive relationship, only a limited number of local WOR pilots have been provided the combinations into the enclosed restricted area. To fly this site you must be escorted by one of these pilots. Please contact the Site Chairman, Robert Moore to reach one of these pilots. There is a 5 glider limit at this launch. Only one vehicle at a time is allowed in the area.
CAUTION: In strong north or northwest winds, it may not be possible to make it to the Mitchell Canyon landing area.
Glide Ratio Required to LZ
Mitchell Canyon LZ 6:1
Thousand Foot LZ 5.6:1
Paraglider Recommended Winds
Best wind direction: NW, N, NE
Minimum: 3mph Ideal: 5mph Max: 10mph
Hang Glider Recommended Winds
Best wind direction: NW, N, NE
Minimum: 3mph Ideal: 7mph Max: 10mph
South Launch
This launch faces south-southeast directly off the graded pad of a former communications tower site, adjacent to the Juniper Trail and Summit Road.
The launch is at 3,600’ MSL. Curry Point landing zone is 1,800 MSL and the Thousand is 1,000’. This launch affords plenty of room for set up and launching with no significant obstructions.
The primary landing areas for this launch are Curry Point and the Thousand-Footer. Access to this launch is from the Juniper Trail. No parking or off-loading is permitted along Summit Road. Vehicular parking must occur at the Lower Summit Parking Lot.
Glide Ratio Required to LZ
Curry Point LZ 5.6:1
Thousand Foot LZ 4.9:1
Paraglider Recommended Winds
Best wind direction: S, SE, ESE
Minimum: 3mph Ideal: 5mph Max: 10mph
Hang Glider Recommended Winds
Best wind direction: S, SE, ESE
Minimum: 3mph Ideal: 7mph Max: 10mph
Landing Zones
Please see the site procedures for details.
The primary landing zones are 1000 Footer and Mitchell Canyon.
1000 Footer: Located on Northgate Road at the 1000′ elevation. Often considered the most technically challenging designated LZ, It is also the closest to the Juniper launch. A moderately sloping hill allows uphill landings in SW and W directions.
Mitchell Canyon: Located at the end of Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton, this LZ is one of the easiest designated LZs. A gently sloping field allows uphill landings in N,NW,W and SW directions. It is a 6:1 glide from the American Towers launch.
There are a variety of other alternate / bailout / emergency Landing Zones designated. Additional information is in the Site Procedures.
| LZ altitude in feet MSL | Best Wind Direction |
| Mitchell Canyon 700 | N,NW,SW |
| Thousand Footer 1000 | SW,W |
| Macedo Ranch 700 | NW,W,N |
| Athenian School 700 | W,WNW,N |
| Curry Point 1800 | SW,S |
| Morgan Territory 800 | W,NW |
| LZ | Characteristics |
| Macedo Ranch | Located at the end of Green Valley Road in Alamo, this LZ provides excellent landing approaches to a tall hill. Moderate hillside slopes allow uphill landings in N,NW,WNW and NE directions. See site procedures for more details. |
| Athenian School CURRENTLY CLOSED | Located at the beginning of Southgate road in Danville, this LZ requires a relatively short final approach to a moderately sloping hillside. Landings are in the N to WNW direction. See site procedures for more details. |
| Curry Point | Located along Southgate Road, this seldon-used LZ provides an effective bail out for pilots who misjudge the glide to Blackhawk Ridge. This is a technically challenging LZ, with a final approach heading south to land on a small hill at 1800 feet. See site procedures for further details. |
| Morgan Territory | This is a rarely used LZ that is valuable to pilots attempting to soar North Peak. Located on Morgan Territory Road at the eastern base of North Peak, this LZ consists of a moderately sloped hillside allowing a westerly approach and landing at 800 feet. See site procedures for further details. |
The common radio frequency is 147.405 Mhz and should be used for safety and logistics with respect to other pilots and non-pilots as this is a simplex frequency that is available to all ham radio users.
Use the common radio frequency to alert other pilots of any related to a possible accident or imminent EMS situation.
Visiting Pilots
Flying Mt. Diablo as a visiting pilot requires you have an advanced rating (H4/P4 or IPPI-4 or above), you must be a current USHPA member, and you must get a site introduction from a member of the Site Committee so you can sign the waiver, sign in, and given a comprehensive introduction. Please contact the Site Committee Chair for additional information.
Weather Information/ Best Soaring Conditions
Depending on the combinations of launch, LZ and weather conditions, Mt. Diablo can offer simple or challenging flights. Consult an experienced Diablo pilot for details on soaring conditions.
Hang Gliders
| Name | USHPA Number |
| Robert Moore (chair) | 59355 |
| Paul Clayton | 41958 |
| Dave Clement | 1049 |
| Clark Frentzen | 15924 |
| Pete Koistinen | 34062 |
| Soham Mehta | 95973 |
| Mike Soderstrom | 79621 |
Paragliders
| Name | USHPA Number |
| Anna Behrens | 101928 |
| Victor Berchet | 97097 |
| Josh Cohn | 53890 |
| Evan Cohen | 88630 |
| Dan Fourie | 97550 |
| Tristan Horn | 98744 |
| Pam Kinnaird | 101090 |
| Ben Pedersen-Wedlock | 97368 |
| Dan Zaslavsky | 97516 |
