Dominguez Canyon Morning Site

• Wind directionESE (112°) → WSW (247°)
• Ideal speed4–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Dominguez Canyon Morning Site is a high-desert thermic canyon launch near Whitewater / Grand Junction, CO (RMHPA region). Per paraglidingEarth it works SE / S / SW (octants confirmed), so the ideal wind-FROM arc is roughly 112-247 deg (SE through SW), centered on a south-facing aspect; marginal/edge tolerance ~90-270 (E to W). As a morning site, the intended window is the early thermal cycle before midday valley/anabatic flow and merging cycles strengthen; the companion "Afternoon Site" ~3 km away flies the OPPOSITE direction (N/W/NW) and is explicitly noted as a cliff launch that is "not great for beginners" and "can get strong" - do not confuse the two. Speeds are inferred (no explicit club numbers published for the morning launch): light morning thermic flow, ideal ~4-12 mph, base launch limit ~15 mph, gusts above ~18 mph signal the cycle has overdeveloped. Hazards: classic Western Slope concerns - strong midday thermals, lee-side/rotor risk if wind backs to the N quadrant, rapid overdevelopment, and high density altitude (launch ~5417 ft MSL). Best flown in the calm early-morning cycle; switch to the afternoon site when the gradient/valley wind turns N-NW. Treat speeds as conservative estimates and confirm with RMHPA / local pilots and live winds before committing.