Hopewell Junction

• Wind directionESE (110°) → S (180°)
• Ideal speed6–14 mph
• Upper limits≤ 16 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Hopewell Junction is a Hudson Valley (Dutchess County, NY) thermal/XC site whose primary launch is a SE-facing ridge. Per the site flying-guide note, it is "quickly becoming the most used site in the area and probably the best for XC options" — a SE ridge that heats up early; in summer soaring can start as early as ~10:30am, so mid-to-late morning is the best window. IDEAL: light-to-moderate SE-to-S flow (roughly 110-180 deg) that lets the ridge work and thermals release; ideal ~6-14 mph. MARGINAL/cross: the broader orientation supports an E-through-NW working arc (octants E,SE,S,SW,W,NW per paraglidingEarth) when thermic, but anything well east of SE or into the W/NW is cross/edge and ridge lift weakens. Keep base wind under ~16 mph and gusts under ~18 mph (P2/P3 thermal-site norms); the site becomes thermic/punchy by midday. HAZARDS: the landing zone is tricky — downslope LZ with power lines requiring a very careful approach. A site intro is strongly recommended before flying. Likely P2-with-mentor / P3 in character given XC potential and LZ difficulty. NOTE: explicit numeric wind limits were not found in a club guide, so speed figures are inferred; direction arc is well-supported by the documented SE-ridge orientation plus the paraglidingEarth octant hint.