Paiute (Bishop- Owens Valley)

• Wind directionWSW (247°) → WNW (293°)
• Ideal speed3–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 20

West-facing launch (~9,600 ft MSL upper / 8,100 ft lower) on the east side of Owens Valley in the White Mountains, NE of Bishop. Works on afternoon anabatic/thermal cycles - "facing west, works in the afternoon." Ideal is a light westerly component (W, with WSW-WNW acceptable); the orientation hint adds N, S, SW, NW as workable cross/edge options on different takeoff pitches (launch area is spacious with multiple takeoff options). This is a powerful big-air XC site, NOT a soaring/ridge site - pilots launch on relatively gentle cycles; the real hazard is mid-day overdevelopment, strong valley winds, and extreme thermic turbulence. Strong N or S winds cause dangerous rotor/turbulence near the ridges - avoid. Best time is late morning into afternoon, but launch before conditions get too strong; the Owens is notorious for violent thermals and high wind by mid-afternoon. Access: 4x4 only on a rough dirt road with sharp rocks that "regularly eats tires" (~40 min from LZ). Unregulated site, H3 (intermediate) rating recommended; suited to experienced XC pilots only. Speed numbers are inferred (no club guide publishes explicit limits) - keep base wind light and bail on gusty/strong conditions.