Griswold

• Wind directionNW (315°) → ENE (70°)
• Ideal speed3–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Griswold is a hike-and-fly thermal launch on BLM land in the Griswold Hills, southeastern San Benito County (south end of Panoche Valley, near Panoche/Coalinga, ~2539 ft MSL). paraglidingEarth lists wind directions for the takeoff as N (2 reports), NE (2), NW (2), with single reports for E and W — so the launch works best on a N/NE/NW component, with E and W being cross/edge directions. Ideal arc taken as NW through N to NE (~315 to 070 deg); marginal extends into the E (070-120). It is documented for paragliding and thermals (no hanggliding/soaring/winch listed). This is a thermic XC-potential site in California's interior Coast Range, so expect strong midday thermal cycles, gusty/punchy conditions in spring/early summer, and likely valley/anabatic and overdevelopment risk on hot days — best flown morning or evening (or on lighter days) to avoid violent midday thermals and rotor in the lee of surrounding ridges. Access is via Panoche Road toward New Idria with a BLM sign; remote, no facilities, intermediate+ terrain. No club/USHPA guide with explicit wind-speed or gust numbers was found; the speed and gust figures are inferred from general thermal hike-and-fly site norms and should be treated as conservative estimates, not published limits. Recommend confirming with local pilots (Fly Zephyr / San Benito County flyers) before committing.