Goat Rock Site Desc.

Location:  1 mi S of Jenner. DeLorme 92 A3

Elevation:  170 ft. MSL

Driving Directions:  Take Highway 1 south from River Road in Jenner.  Turn right into Goat Rock State Beach.  Launch is the parking lot above Goat Rock.

Usage/Requirements: 

Hang gliding and paragliding allowed. Must be USHPA member. Must be a Sonoma Wings club member, or the guest of a member. Must have minimum Hang/Para rating (see Ratings, below). Must have a signed waiver on file at park headquarters. Must have a copy of the signed waiver in possession. Sonoma Wings H4/P4 must be present for flying to happen, duties are: - check USHPA membership, ratings of pilots, ensure compliance with requirements - education of pilots on site rules, best practices, etiquitte - monitor weather and winds Sponsors must take responsibility for their guests, and ensure their guests are familiar with the rules. Don't fly south of Peaked Hill. Don't fly low over houses, cars, people Take off within 250 feet of the parking lot.

note on waiver: download, print, and sign two copies of the waiver. Send one to the Park Headquarters in Duncans Mills. Keep a signed copy in your harness or car to show the ranger if they ask to see it. Sonoma Wings has credit card versions of the waiver that you can keep in your wallet, along with your USHPA card and SW card.

Launch: W to NW (sometimes SW), post frontal usually best.  Soarable for hang gliders in winds 14kts and above, less for paragliders.

Landing: On beach in front of, or at north end of sand dunes. Take all precautions to avoid people on the beach. Easy landing, but you may have to land somewhat crosswind - a steep beach with powerful surf and undertow. DO NOT LAND IN THE OCEAN HERE!!! You may also land on Blind Beach between Goat Rock and Peaked Hill.
No top landings, except in emergencies (i.e. getting stuck at Peaked Hill in strong wind). You can land on top, north and east of the road at the southern end. Beware sharp wind gradient/rotor if you do.

Season:  Typically Spring and Fall are best.

Ratings:  H3/P3, (H2/P2 with sponsor) Sonoma Wings members and guests only.   Signed waiver must be on file. Sponsoring pilots must be H4/P4 rated Sonoma Wings members.

Flying:  Typical coastal soaring. Altitudes of 400ft over launch and 700 - 1000ft at Peaked Hill are common. Record is 3000ft in shear.

Cautions:  Windy cliff launch with strong rotors behind cliff edge. Wiremen, usually more than one, are essential in soarable conditions. Exercise caution when setting up; strong winds can create turbulent conditions in setup area. When flying, be aware that winds may pick up quickly, and it can become blown out. This is especially true for paragliders. Beware getting stuck at Peaked Hill at the southern end by increasing winds. Goat Rock can produce moderate rotor turbulence downwind to the south.

Facilities:  Restrooms located in the lower parking lot.

Parking:  Parking lots or approved parking on road.

Enforcement:  You must have a current USHPA card and Sonoma Wings card in your possession. Rangers and SW members will check these!

Radio Information: 147.495 MHz

Emergency: Cell phones typically do NOT work at Goat Rock.  There is a pay phone in the lower parking lot.

Affiliation and Maintenance: Sonoma Wings is the holder of the Special Event Permit and insures the site.

More Photos