Woodrat site intro

This text is in no way meant to be a substitute for a proper site orientation, it is highly recommended that you arrange to make your first flight from Woodrat in the company of a local. A good way to contact us is through our RVHPA Yahoo! group.

Woodrat is an H-3, P-3 site, please check our waiver for more information.

Woodrat Mtn is located 6 miles south of Jacksonville and approximately 10 miles southwest of Medford. From I-5 follow the signs to Jacksonville, then continue on Hwy 238 another 8 or so miles looking for Bishop Creek Rd on your left (if you come to a little town called Ruch you missed your turn, go back 1/2 mile). Turn up Bishop Creek, drive about 200 yards and park on the RIGHT side of the road near a brown metal gate, the LZ is the 40 acres to the south.

On your way to check out the LZ you will pass by a shiny aluminum structure, take a moment to fill out the required site waiver and deposit it in the slot.

There are a few important things you need to know about the LZ, sure there are power lines, fences, cows and a pond, but I mean really important stuff, like that it's private property. The Hunters have allowed gliders to land in their cow pasture for the past 25 years, all they ask is that we follow a few simple rules:

Be aware that these rules apply to Bishop Creek Road as well as to the pasture since the road lies on an easement through the Hunter's property.

Also, the two gates between the road and the pasture need to be kept closed and latched at all times.

The following map shows locations of the two launches and the roads to get you there. Both routes are suitable for passenger cars. In red is the "front side" route, a steep, narrow, windy road with a history of head-ons. If you're heading for Mid or need to get to the top as fast as possible this is the way.

The yellow route is longer by about 5-10 minutes, but it cuts out a lot of dust and blind corners. A Google Map of the area can be found here.

 

Reduce the chances of a collision by using Sterling Creek Rd. when returning to the LZ! And remember, it takes a lot more room to stop on loose gravel than blacktop, so slow down!

Wide shot of top launch with LZ's in green, non LZ's in red. Click in the picture and drag to pan, press SHIFT or CTRL to zoom.

Requires the Quicktime plugin.

Flat version for those without Quicktime.

 

This shot was taken from about 1000' directly above mid-launch. The landing areas are labeled in the order of use: 90% of the landings are made under the yellow area marked "A", but anywhere in the green works. The "B" area is a popular choice with the hang gliders when there are cows in the upper field. Area "C" is only used by paragliders that can't make the main LZ, usually because the SW wind was stronger than they thought. This last area is not a good HG LZ, the landing is sloped downhill with powerlines on two sides.

 

Top launch.