"I don't think I am qualify to comment on the site. I am too far beginner to give valuable input. Anyway, what I can say is: I had the chance to fly at Monroe peak. The ride was easy but long. Just get there for the fabulous view and you are done for a long time of memories... Then flying is just magic. That was my first take-off at 11000ft and was not as hard as expected. The lift was quite easy though I guess timing (like in most cases) is prime. I was lucky enough to go at the right moment to go 1000ft above launch Will love to fly again there next year." -
Pierre-Jean Beney (France) 2010 - "We had a wonderfull trip in the USA. Thanks to a lot of pilots. The road to Launch was OK and not too long, which is important for comps. Launch is not complicated, a nice large rig area for lots of gliders. My flight there I had a max height of 4454 mtr (14612 feet) 2 times. Though the upper winds were strong XC potential was very good. The Valley floor has a lot of usable landing fields dependant on the crops. So tasks can easily be flown with turn points in the South, North and West. Overall I think challenging tasks can be set for most conditions. Having the tasks around the valley also makes retrieve easy and possible."
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Erik Severians ( Holland) -
Updated 1/29/22
Site guide
Monroe Launch
Recommended Winds: South West launch
• HG: min 6, ideal 12, Max 20, gust 5
• PG: min 1, ideal 8, max 12 gust 3
• Ideal direction 210-240 degrees, Acceptable 200-280 degrees
• Min GR: 4.6
Recommended Ratings
• South West launch H3, P3 Mini wings not recommended
"At nearly 6000 feet, Monroe Peak is Utah's highest drive up vert. With 2 wheel drive access and a large clear launch area. It is especially good for cross-country because it lies on the Sevier Plateau with thermal generating potential for literally hundreds of miles. The launch has been used by Hang gliders since the mid nineties, but the old Utah site guide said that it was not suitable for paragliders. I lived in the shadow of the majesty of Monroe Peak for the first four years of my flying life before I got the courage to challenge the wisdom of the site guide. From that first early morning sledder July 14th of 2007 the number of paragliders flying Monroe Peak has grown exponentially and the stories and enthusiasm about Personal records being set and incredible flying experiences being had continue to accumulate. Now with nationals being held at Monroe Peak in July 2011 the site seems once again mostly unexplored with potential waiting to be tapped and routes needing to be pioneered."
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Stacy Whitmore (Richfield Utah) -
Site rules and risk assessment and mitigation plan for Monroe Peak
Monroe Peak is on National Forest Land and is administrated by the Central Utah Air Sports Association. CUASA. Membership in USHPA and CUASA and being familiar with the Monroe Peak risk assessment is required to fly here. Please contact one of our officers for information on risk mitigation, weather conditions and CUASA membership before flying. stacy@cuasa.com - jef@cuasa.com-jonathan@cuasa.com
Monroe Peak Launch is located 7 miles South East of Monroe Utah at the top of the Monroe mountain road. With nearly 6000 feet of vertical drop to the landing zone which is just west of the Monroe City Rodeo grounds. The Highest USHPA insured launch in the continental United States and home to the 2011 Red Rock Paragliding foot launch National competition.
This is a very high mountain launch and requires the respect and caution associated with high mountain launches. Thermal activity can be very strong because of the height above the valley, and thermals making their way up can join with other thermals just starting causing multiple cores and strong conditions.
There is a 4 mile glide out to the landing zone over mountains valleys and unfriendly landing conditions, so head out to the landing zone while you are still high enough to make it, or choose a friendly landing zone in a mountain meadow
Other risks include small rocks on launch that can make footing tricky, and bigger rocks near launch that can cause injury if you are getting dragged. That same 345 KV power line that crosses the Cove landing zone is also near the Monroe Peak landing zone. There are many good options for landing on both sides of the power line, so keep a safe distance.
Your safety is determined by clear thinking and understanding the conditions and risks, CUASA and USHPA are committed to your freedom to fly according to the dictates of your own conscience, and decision making, and to making it as safe as possible by informing you of risks so you can make informed, wise, and safe decisions.
Monroe site rules
1) P 3 or instructor supervision required
2) Membership in USHPA and CUASA and familiarization with site rules and Risk assessment required.
3) Monroe Peak is a southwest facing thermal site, if airflow is not consistently southwest don’t launch. It is recommended that airspeed velocity be adequate to indicate a reverse inflation before launching is attempted.
4) The ridge rules “right of way” are to be followed at all times.
5) Helmets are required and must be worn any time you are attached to the glider.
6) Spectators must remain 50 feet away from laid out paragliders, and be aware of launching and flying pilots.
7) All vehicles on launch need to park in the indicated parking areas. Please refer to the map of launch.
9) No vehicles in the landing zone. Park on the south side of the Rodeo Arena. Do not block the entrance to the Rodeo Arena.
10) Mini wings may use the Monroe Peak launch, but extreme caution should be used because of the Altitude of launch, more speed is required to get airborne. There is an optional Mini wing LZ Near the Monroe 10 LZ. Please contact a CUASA officer for specific landing instructions for Mini wings.
11) Any commercial instruction or site guiding must be done in accordance with USHPA guidelines and instructors must represent a PASA certified school.
12) Tandem instructors must be in compliance with the USHPA FAA Tandem Exemption, and all participants must be issued a 30 day student membership or current USHPA membership.
