Silver Star

• Wind directionWNW (293°) → NNW (338°)
• Ideal speed4–12 mph
• Upper limits≤ 15 mph base · gusts ≤ 18

Silver Star Mountain (near Yacolt/Washougal, WA; ~3425 ft launch) is a Cascade Paragliding Club thermal/XC site that "usually flies in NW winds," with W and N as the cross/edge directions (matching the N/W/NW octant hint). NW (~293-338 deg) is the ideal working arc; the marginal arc spans roughly W (270) through N (360). It is primarily a thermic site rather than a pure ridge-soaring site, so it works best when winds are light-to-moderate and aligned NW; pilot reports note flyable conditions even with only a light 3-5 mph westerly component. Best time of day is mid-to-late afternoon, with thermals turning "punchy, small, sharp" earlier and conditions becoming productive close to 5 PM. HAZARDS: remote location with no convenient escape routes if weather turns; surrounded by relatively high mountains/ridges; complex LZs on approach especially when thermic mid-to-late afternoon; rotor and unexpected thermals possible on final approach to upper landing zones; lower meadow LZ has stumps, brush and tree lines; limited cell coverage. ACCESS/RATING: described as "beautiful but very unforgiving" — effectively an advanced/experienced (P3-level) site; road closures have pushed parking progressively lower, requiring roughly a 1200 ft elevation hike to launch. Valley (NE) winds on non-flyable days can spawn thermals from unexpected directions. Explicit published speed/gust limits were not found, so speed values are inferred for a light thermic mountain launch; treat NW direction as the firm, club-confirmed parameter and speeds as conservative estimates.