Mt St John

Looking NW at the top of the mt. on the right; launch and glider just below pilot's head.

SITE: St. John Mountain

LOCATION: Stonyford, CA (39.28'N 122.36'W)

USAGE: Hang gliders from main launch, P.G. from Potato Hill (near Fouts Springs)

SEASON: Summer/Fall only (can be snowed in until May or later)

REQUIREMENTS: Hang IV. Hang III with mountain experience.

DIRECTIONS: I5 North of Sacramento to Maxwell exit (near Williams),and West to Stonyford. Alternatively from Highway 20 take good dirt road north past Wilbur Springs to Lodoga, then follow directions to Stonyford. Go west on M10, turn right at Fouts Springs, follow signs to top, - about 12 miles.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Steep, dirt, 2WD. Ample parking at top, large set-up area (shaded and in loose shale - fairly clean) Can accommodate any number of vehicles and gliders.

FACILITIES: Camping available at E. Park Reservoir (boating area) or several higher elevation sites with small mountain lake. Often crowded on holidays. Semi-improved campsites, first come first served. No hotels or cabins. Lots of great wild camping on top behind launch.

LAUNCH: South South West. Elevation 6150ft, half a mile south of the top.Good ramp of dirt and boards,much improved of late,(approx 40ft long X 14ft wide), but into shallow bowl, somewhat set back, with bushes in front. Winds are usually light and often somewhat crossed. Launches are not difficult, but good aggressive technique is required. Wait for a good cycle. Not recommended in nil wind. West. Elevation approx. 6650ft. Steep shale slope just to the south of the radio towers. Easy in any wind, but beware bushes in front. No smoking on launch or in any LZ.

HAZARDS: Shallow SSW launch over rocks. Long glide to L.Z. over ravine. If you get more than 500ft below launch it's advisable to get out. Landings at Davis Flat campground en route to primary bailout are not recommended, - the surface is very rocky, sloping, and surrounded by trees. In an emergency there are large grassy slopes a mile or so out from launch which which give plenty of scope for uphill landings.

FLYING: Usually great thermal flying - very consistent. Lee side thermals can be rough - big mountain air. House thermal tends to be over switchbacks to the east of launch. Good XC potential, North officially 54.5 miles to west of Red Bluff, and South officially 43 miles to Arbuckle, but longer flights may have been made. Lots of LZs north and south.

RESTRICTIONS: Site located in Maxwell MOA, not active on weekends. No special clearance needed at any time. No restricted airspace or control zones along any XC path.

LANDING: The primary LZ is at East Park Reservoir (1200ft MSL), 11 miles east from launch, though you will normally need to gain about 1500 ft over launch to get there. The field to the north east of the crossroads in Stonyford is also commonly used - about 9 miles from launch, if you don't make it out to the reservoir.

If you are really sinking out badly, you can set down in one of four round looking fields north of the visitors center. You have to walk a bit to get out of these fields. Most folks use the one nearest the road. There is also an LZ in the large valley south of the mountain, although it is pretty much a long glide unless you sink out in front of Snow Mountain. This field is just east of the "Boys Ranch" and is used by paragliders coming off Potato Hill and has plenty of windsocks.

Along the south side of the road going into Stonyford is the large Flying S Ranch.
DO NOT LAND THERE! Click here for a map.
The owner has exotic animals and is very sure to have you arrested! (Besides which, who wants to get chased by an Ostrich?)

This ranch starts at the foothills and proceeds all the way into Stonyford. There are some other properties that we can land on south of the road, but the best bet if you are sinking out is the field (on the north side of the road into Stonyford) just east of the "Bee Field" (lots of beehives). The owner of this field has given his OK for occasional landings.

The locals are generally very friendly, but use common sense, be courteous, and don't climb over fences.

GENERAL: BLM ownership. Forest Service likes us and wants to promote hang gliding. Entire area is a 'use' park with ORV's, fishing, hunting etc. The Ranger station in Stonyford (530-963-3128) has the nearest access to emergency help.

Halfway from the mt, looking SE. Stonyford is below (the largest town by far in this valley) and East Park Reservoir (landing and camping area) is upper left.