New Jack City - West Ridge

• Wind directionENE (60°) → SSE (160°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

High-desert ridge-soaring spot in the Mojave near Barstow/Lucerne Valley (the area is better known as a sport-climbing destination); no published club/USHPA site guide found, so numbers are inferred from the paraglidingEarth orientation hint plus general desert-ridge knowledge. Orientation octants that work: NE, E, S, SW — a knife-edge ridge complex usable from more than one face, with the primary working arc on the E/SE side (ideal ~60-160 deg). SW is a secondary/marginal face. IMPORTANT caution from a pilot/Windfinder note for the West Ridge launch: a venturi at launch makes actual wind noticeably stronger than forecast, and pilots typically do NOT fly if the forecast is over ~7 mph; that same note says the launch can face W and is difficult in a N cross — so treat northerly/N-cross components as a no-go and keep base speeds conservative despite the higher ceilings shown here. Desert thermals build fast after late morning; expect strong cycles, dust devils, and rough air midday — best flown morning or evening when gradient/thermal activity is lighter. Remote, unimproved, no facilities; advanced desert/turbulence judgment recommended; verify current access and local protocol before flying.