Hangliding Location: Sugar Hill

Location

13 miles S of New Pine Creek, OR, on the OR/CA border, 24 N-NE of Alturas, CA, and 2 Miles E of U.S. 395 and the S end of Coose Lake; Sec. 26, T. 45 N., R. 14 E.; 41°48'25"N, 120°19'43"E.

Soarable

Yes, Ridge/Thermal, SW predominant wind in A.M. straight in at launch, ecxellent X-C potential to the N-NE.

Access

11miles 2WD dirt road from U.S. 395

Route

Take U.S. 395 13 miles S. from Lakeview, OR to New Pine Creek, OR on the OR/CA border. COntinue 7.3 miles S on 395, turning left (E) on "Co.Rd. 47/F.S. Road 30" (46N30). At 2.3 miles, continue past "9 miles to Sugar L.O." sign. At 5.4 miles, cross Lassen Creek Bridge onto 46N06 and continue past nice Lassen Creek Campground. Continue 4.0 Miles up the NW flank of Sugar Hill. Turn right 46N06A, "Sugar Hill L.O. 2.0" and continue 1.6 miles up to the launch in saddle just past Gaston Spring. (On left, good water.)

Launch

7,180', 2,400' AGL, SW Facing, moderate sloped hillside, setup on road between launch and lookout tower (7,267'), sheltered outhouse near N side of tower, ticks in bushes in the spring.

Landing

Very good X-C site, huge private fields W of launch between Goose Lake and 395, 6 miles S of 395/Co.Rd. 47 turnoff, 3:1, 4,700' MSL. 26 mile flights N to Lakeview and beyond are common.

Protocol

Unregulated, USHGA H3 with Turb. recommended, especially in the afternoon. Sugar HIll can be a tough ride until you give up or leave.

Camping

Goose Lake Oregon State Campgroun at New Pine Creek on OR/CA border, 48 electric/water/hor showers/grass and trees. $10, no reservations. Is a popular Lakeview Area Campground, especially for Sugar Hill flyers. Lassen Creek Campground (Forest Service), along Lassen Creek on Road 46N06 in the meadow, looks very appealing too.

Records

40 miles N to top landing at old Abert Rim L.O. by Ron Enck, 7-88 from lower Sugar HIll "Sweet and Low" launch at Ramers. 43.3 miles N-NE to Priday Reservoir, 11 miles N or Adel, OR on Hwy.

Maps

USGS 15 min. (1" = 1 mile) WIllow Ranch, 1962; Alturas NK 10-9 1:250,000 (1/4" = 1 mile), 1971; Modoc National Forest Pacific Southwest Region (3/8" = 1 mile) 1986, from Modoc N.F. Supv. Office, P.O. Box 661, Alturas, CA 96101, (916)233-5811.

Nearby Sites

"Sweet and Low," also possibly known as "Lower Sugar" or "Ramers," Sec. 15, T 46N., R. 14E., 1.7 miles NW of Sugar Hill launch, 5,600', 1,000 AGL, used when Sgugar is blown out. Aslo Fandango Pass, Sec. 1, T. 45 N., R. 15 E., 6 miles E of Sugar Hill, E-facing site overlooking Ft. Bidwell and Upper Lake, see USGS 15-min. Fort Bidwell, CA-OR, 1962

Misc.

Drivers - Be sure to stop at the unique Stringer's Orchard Wild Plum Windery, in New Pine Creek, OR, on the way back to camp.

Contributor: This information has been provided by Dave Baleria, USHGA #42283, and is used with his permission.