Palisades

• Wind directionSW (225°) → NW (315°)
• Ideal speed6–15 mph
• Upper limits≤ 18 mph base · gusts ≤ 22

Palisades is a west-facing thermal/XC launch (~7159 ft MSL) between Lakeview and Abert Rim in southeastern Oregon, part of the "Lakeview" suite of sites (the "Hang Gliding Capital of the West"). Multiple sources consistently describe it as west-facing, matching the SW/W/NW orientation hint. IDEAL wind FROM is the W arc (~225-315 deg, SW through W to NW), best straight-in W to WNW. MARGINAL/cross edges run from S/SSW (~180) around through NNW (~340); more southerly or northerly flow becomes cross and unreliable. This is a thermal launch, not a coastal/strong-wind soaring ridge, so it works best in light-to-moderate westerlies — ideal roughly 6-15 mph at launch, with ~18 mph a sensible base ceiling and gusts above ~22 mph signaling overdeveloped/blown-out conditions. Typical Lakeview summer pattern: light southerly in the morning, building late morning/early afternoon and swinging WEST late in the day, so the best window is midday into mid-afternoon once the westerly fills in. Hazards: high-altitude launch (thin air, faster groundspeeds, mid-day thermal strength and turbulence; lee-side rotor if wind backs south or veers north off the rim). Big XC potential (100+ mile flights documented in the region). Rating/access: intermediate-and-up thermal/XC site; verify current access, road conditions and local club guidance (Lakeview Hanggliding / Southern Oregon Air Riders) before flying. NOTE: no club/USHPA guide published explicit numeric speed or gust limits specific to Palisades — direction arc and timing are well-sourced; speed/gust figures are inferred from the orientation, the site's thermal character and general high-desert mountain-launch norms.