Smelter (Durango)

Launch Type: Foot

Vertical: 1100'

Distance to LZ: 1850'

Glide required: ~2

Basic Description: Smelter is a N facing foot launch site located near the radio towers on Smelter Mountain just south of downtown Durango. The site is just under just over 1000' vertical and is flyable with North wind most mornings. This site is accessible by hiking. However, you need a Colorado fishing license and a current USPHA rating to fly here due to agreements between the flying community, CPW, and the City of Durango. From Dec 1. to April 15th hiking before 10am and after 2pm is not allowed due to seasonal wildlife closures.

Getting There: The trailhead for hiking follows the ridge from the south starting at the baseball diamonds just off US160 at (GPS: 37 15' 12.26N 107 52' 44.01W). Turn off 160 just by Office Depot and turn onto CR 210. Take your first right and the parking lot for access is on your immediate left. The hike should take between 30-45 mins until you reach the take off. It is a very large flat area and there are a few streamers attached to the bushes as wind indicators.

Exposure: Most mornings early as the katabatic air flows out of the North from the mountains down the Animas river valley and blows straight up the face of Smelter. As the valley heats up, the wind switches South and begins to blow over the back side. This is not a beginner launch, the take off is very short and requires headwind to launch. This is a leeward launch, do not attempt to launch too late in the morning when the wind switches begins to blow from the south over the backside.

Launch: Oak Brush has been cleared out of the launch just left of a short ridge towards an old telegraph pole. Run hard once you have your wing up. Cutting right after Launch will help maintain lift if you stay close to the cliff band.

Landing Zone: LZ is much easier than launch. Generally there is very little wind, but set up to the west is preferred. There are scattered trees in the LZ, but it is generally a pretty easy to avoid. There is a parking lot on the west side of the dog park, or a trail that returns along the river south to the baseball diamonds. LZ is the Dog Park below the launch. The allowable landing zone is allowed in the large mowed square, visible from launch. Please be respectful to the dogs and dog owners. as this is the only allowable LZ.

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