Gold Gulch

• Wind directionE (80°) → ESE (105°)
• Ideal speed6–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 20 mph base · gusts ≤ 25

Gold Gulch (a.k.a. "Junction") sits at the base of the Tushar Mountains in central Utah; this is an EAST-FACING launch, not N/NE as the paraglidingEarth octant hint suggests (treat that auto-DB hint as unreliable here — the CUASA club guide is explicit). CUASA site guide: ideal wind direction 80-105 deg (E), acceptable 65-105 deg; cross/edge tolerances are tight because it's a thermal, not a strong-ridge, site. Speeds per CUASA: P3 paragliders min 0, ideal ~6, max ~12 mph, gusts to +5; H3 hang gliders min 8, ideal ~12, max ~20 mph, gusts to +5. Use the lower (PG) numbers as the safe base; 20 mph is the HG max ceiling. BEST TIME: early morning — an east face that produces anabatic flow and gentle thermal soaring as early as 9am; classic early XC start (need 10,000+ ft to cross foothills into Sanpete Valley). KEY HAZARD: morning thermals can mask strong WESTERLY winds aloft that build during peak heating, creating severe leeside rotor/turbulence — bail before midday if west wind develops. Launch is overgrown with snag hazards and bushes to the south (documented close calls); high-altitude thin air (~8,500 ft MSL) demands an aggressive, committed launch run. ACCESS/RATING: H3/P3 required, USHPA + CUASA membership required; park by the Forest Service sign without blocking the road, short walk along a game trail to launch. Main LZ has sage/tumbleweeds; bailout LZ at 38.249, -112.317. Coordinates and ~8,500 ft elevation match the provided site.