Winds: Best direction is West but flyable SSW to WNW. Be cautious of NW wind shadow if on the far North end of ridge. This place is difficult to predict winds/conditions, and what is happening in nearby Santa Fe and Cochiti Lake/Pueblo areas won't always indicate what conditions are like on the ridge. Winds can turn on quickly so stay vigilant and check wind penetration and direction often. Weather: Flyable all year if the road is passable. Winter is generally good but summertime can be tricky with powerful thermals flowing up from the Rio Grande Valley. Stay only on the main road near launch. Do not park or drive North of the small set of power lines near launch. There are other two track roads which follow the ridge and actually go right to the launch areas but SFNF consider these roads closed. Please respect SFNF driving rules and park within 10 ft of the main road (Old La Bajada Pass).

Launch is on US National Forest Santa Fe (SFNF) lands and vehicles are not allowed off road up to launch areas. Launch is a short walk (200-300 yds) from the dirt SFNF road which may be impassable in inclement weather. RIDGE runs approx. 4 miles generally to the North and a mile to South (and faces West). Elevation is approx. 600-800 feet along ridge. PG launch is from lower ledge area (50 ft below ridge top) which is an area about 25 yds by 150 yds and has small clearing. HG launch is a gravel ramp on top of ridge above and slightly North of PG launch. Main LZ: Top landing is advised to be at least 200-300 yds back/behind (East of launch) anywhere on top of the mesa (due to rotor and other turbulence which occur very near the ridge front edge and extend some distance back from the ridge). Below: Alternate LZ (think of this more as a bail out or an 'emergency landing' area) is any flat area directly below the ridge (West). But, be aware that this landing area is on Cochiti Indian Pueblo Lands and there is no formal agreement with SFNF, the Pueblo, and the the local club to officially use this area as an LZ yet. The SFNF boundary actually ends on the top front edge of the ridge, and the Cochiti Pueblo lands extends west from there (including the the ridge face). Front Edge: This means anywhere on the top at the very front edge of the ridge with approaches no more than 50 feet from the edge. (Even within 50 feet of the edge there may be strong rotor near the ground). Front edge landings are common but can be dangerous and are strongly advised to be saved for local or experienced pilots who understand the unique rotors and other hazards this particular ridge creates for top front edge landings. Don't be fooled, they are tricky here. From the top: I-25 to 599 by-pass. Take 599 by-pass to Aiport Rd (Paseo Real) and turn left heading West. It's about 30 min driving time from here. Take Airport Rd (a few miles) to CR 56C and turn right heading North. Stay on 56C and eventually end up on top of mesa after a few miles. Once on top of the Mesa, you will be driving mostly Southwest and staying on the mostly traveled main dirt road. From the mesa top, you will see 3 sets of power lines (which run Northeast to Southwest and these will be your landmarks) with the smallest set to the Northwest. Continue taking appropriate turns on dirt roads (there are a few) until you pass under the largest set of power lines (there are actually two sets which run right next to each other that you will drive under). Now, continue a bit farther NW until you are almost directly under the 3rd and last set of power lines (the smallest of the sets). Follow this dirt road which parallels (almost underneath) this set of power lines for several more miles all the way to the edge of the ridge/launch. Launch parking is anywhere next to the road before the steep descent from the ridge top. Launches are a short walk to the North (several hundred yards) from the parking area. From the Bottom: Take I-25 and exit to Cochiti Lake Hwy 16 (at the bottom of La Bajada hill) and head Northwest. Go about 2 1/2 to 3 miles and turn Right heading Northeast. Go about 1/2 mile or so and take the first Right onto pot holed/gravel broken pavement/dirt road which will eventually bring you into small Indian village after a mile or so. Cross small bridge and find parking next to road. The road will fork shortly after the small bridge and if you take the right fork you will begin to climb up the ridge and WILL need a high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle. If you intend to take this road all the way up then stay left at the next fork about halfway up and continue to top. Otherwise, hike up from where you parked. (20-30 min with PG gear). None as of 2/22/2016 None as of 2/22/2016

Top road may become impassable during heavy snows and SFNF has closed the top road at times due to mud and deep ruts. Nearby power lines run South-Westerly down the face of the ridge and North-Easterly on top of the mesa.