Dickey's Ridge

• Wind directionSSW (210°) → W (260°)
• Ideal speed8–15 mph
• Upper limits≤ 18 mph base · gusts ≤ 22

Dickey Ridge (a.k.a. Dickey's Ridge) is a CHGPA-managed launch inside Shenandoah National Park, near Lake Frederick, VA, directly east of the Appalachian Trail just below the Vortec/Vortac towers. CHGPA (the managing USHPA chapter) explicitly describes it as a "SW ridge," and paraglidingEarth lists working octants SW and W; ideal arc centers around WSW/SW (~225 deg), working solidly from roughly S-SW (210) to W (260), with marginal/cross edges from S (180) to WNW (290). Beyond that the ridge goes cross/leeward and unworkable. ACCESS/RATING: Requires P3 (paragliders, with cliff-launch sign-off) or H3 (hang gliders), plus USHPA + CHGPA membership and a NPS Special Use Permit (apply ~2-4 business days in advance; ~$50/yr); not a same-day/walk-up site. A site intro by a local member is expected. HAZARDS: CHGPA notes both the launch and the LZs for the Shenandoah sites are "fairly technical" — this is recommended for experienced pilots only. Daylight flights only, with the LZ clearly visible from launch; helmets required; landing permission required as it crosses onto private property. Best in steady SW ridge-lift flow; watch for leeside rotor if wind backs toward S of ~180 or veers north of W, and for over-the-back/blow-back risk in stronger SW gradient given the high (2293 ft MSL) ridgeline and good XC potential downrange. SPEED NUMBERS ARE INFERRED (no published club figures found): typical Appalachian ridge-soaring band ~8-15 mph base, usable to ~18 mph, gusts kept under ~22 mph for a technical PG/HG launch — treat speed/gust values as low-confidence estimates and verify with local pilots and live forecasts (Windfinder lists a "Dickey's Ridge" station).