Jean Ridge- Dry bed (Las Vegas)

• Wind directionSSW (200°) → WSW (250°)
• Ideal speed5–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Jean Ridge is a 1-mile-long, ~300 ft flat-topped sand-and-rock ridge facing SW across Jean Dry Lake Bed (Desert Skywalkers club site, launch ~3070 ft MSL). Primary front launches face SW toward the lakebed, so the ideal wind arc straddles SW (~SSW-WSW, 200-250 deg). A back-side launch is used when winds come more from the S, extending the usable range; W is also workable per the orientation hint (S/SW/W), giving a marginal arc roughly 170-270 deg. Ideal wind speed is 5-12 mph for ridge soaring; the hill soars on lighter breezes but builds quickly with elevation (a pilot reported ~12 mph two-thirds up vs 20+ mph on top), so treat ~15 mph at launch as the upper end and watch for blowback over the broad top plateau. Rotor is minimal because the slope is rounded with a large plateau on top. All pilot levels can fly it, though mid-hill launches require kiting/hiking; dirt-road access to base and top (4WD recommended for the top road). It is a strong XC site (Nevada state record flight ~62 mi started here). Hazards: boulders below launch, scattered bushes/soft sand, off-road ATV/dirt-bike traffic, and frequent gunfire from a nearby shooting range. Best flown spring through fall; great for evening/sunset ridge soaring.