Ojai - Chief

• Wind directionSSE (160°) → SSW (200°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Chief's Peak (Topa Topa Mountains, Ojai) is a smooth, relatively flat (2-3:1) south-facing rocky slope. The Topa Flyers club guide describes it as a south-facing launch, so it works best with winds from the south, ideally SSE through SSW (centered on 180). Launch is "a lot more comfortable with a few mph of breeze" — light winds are usable but a slight breeze aids takeoff; this is a thermal/ridge/convergence/XC site overlooking the Sespe gorge. Marginal in SE and SW (cross-launch). Avoid winds with a north/east/west component (back/cross). Rating: minimum Hang II with high-altitude experience, and a more experienced pilot present recommended. Access: via Rose Valley campground road off the Ojai-area highway; a USFS permit through the Ojai district ranger station (805-646-4348) is required; paved public road to launch with a steep, one-vehicle-wide dirt section at the end. Glide is roughly 4:1 to the nominal LZ — a large series of grass fields across the valley in Upper Ojai (near but not including the recognizable soccer field). Note: the listed forecast coordinates/elevation (751 ft) are the low valley reference point; the actual launch sits at ~4800 ft MSL. Speed numbers are inferred from the "light to a few mph" description plus general thermal-site norms, not explicit club figures. As a thermal/XC site, best flying is typically midday to afternoon when thermals develop; be alert for overdevelopment, strong thermic conditions, and possible lee-side rotor if winds turn northerly.