Indian Valley

This past weekend I visited and flew in the Indian Valley area with a group from the bay and reno areas. The informal "fly-in" was put together by Stacy and Carmela and they reserved a large group camp with great amenities for us all to enjoy (thanks!). Indian Valley includes the towns of Greenville and Taylorsville and is one of the most appealing places I have flown so far in California. There are numerous ridges surrounding the valley(s) offering up many challenges for intermediate to the most advanced pilots. Conditions were excellent and we flew 3 of the 4 days we were there.

Above, Steve is climbing out under some nice cumi's. The conditions were deceptively appealing this day and many pilots sank out early. But for those fortunate enough to wait it out it turned on late and Ben and Mike climbed up to over 13k. I managed to get over 9k all three days and had some great views of the valley from the "burn" launch.

Above looking out over the bailout LZ (lower right) towards Greenville. We landed at Bobby's (near the blue spot in the valley). Below, looking out further East toward Taylorsville at the far end of the valley.
The first day out I got a little far down the ridge and decided to just head out to Taylorsville for some easy XC practice. I got a ride almost immediately (with my glider!) from a local rancher.
Saturday the winds kicked up and we decided to do our hang-waiting at the local swimming hole (Indian Falls) on Indian Creek. As good a day as any on the trip.
Monday, we slept in and showed up to Mount Hough around midday to find winds blowing15+ into the Crystal lake basin at the summit. The view was... well... The launch we had hoped to use from behind the lake was not possible given the conditions and I was ready to head home content after a great weekend....

After a while we checked out an east facing launch and wandered all around a challenging bowl area trying to determine true wind direction. Then Steve R. called on a local for a demonstration. The red tail below soared right out in front of us, worked some lift then parked high above the treetops into the wind to make sure we got the hint. Steve and Eric F. wasted no time in setting up and showing us the way. Soon there were 7 of us up over Hough and racing around the valley.Above: Eric Froelich-ing out in front of launch.

Below: Crystal Lake at Hough's summit
Below: Looking over the back side of Hough toward Quincy in the valley.Ben on final at Hough's LZ.
Special thanks to Stacy and Carmela for putting together such great trip, Ben, Eric, that Red tail Hawk and Steve R. for getting us in the air on an epic day!