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Mt. St. Helena

Calistoga, CA – Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

Last updated on December 27th, 2025 at 9:27 am

Quick Overview:

Mt. St. Helena is a peak in the Mayacamas Mountain range located between Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties that which offers great thermic flying potential.

Telegram

Radio Frequency: 147.405 MHz

Site Committee Chairs: Eric Beckman & Jon James

[email protected]

Hang gliding: H4 or H3 with sponsor
Paragliding: P4 or P3 with sponsor
Mini-wings: Not allowed

Park Information

Site Requirements

  • Current USHPA and WOR (full or visiting) membership required
  • Pilots must fly with a helmet and an emergency parachute
  • All park rules and regulations must be observed
  • Call (707)942-4575 at least 24 hours before going up the mountain
  • Use is limited to four vehicles and 12 pilots
  • Pilots may launch only from the designated launch area
  • All streamers, windsocks etc. must be removed at the end of each day
  • There are few safe places to land on the way out to Knights Valley, so don’t get low on the mountain
  • No Commercial activity
  • Report any accidents, incidents or concerns using this form

Launch

Middle Spine Launch is at 3,800′

Wings: NW-SW

HG & PG: 0-14mph, ideal 6mph, gust 5 mph

Glide ratio: 6:1

Landing Zone (LZ)

Large field in Knights Valley, privately owned.
We are VERY lucky to be able to use this field – everywhere else is vineyards.
Gate is usually locked – do NOT climb OVER gates or fences.
Conditions are usually light winds out of the W or NW
Spring winds can sometimes be strong and turbulent, especially on the ground. Watch out for wires and turbulence from trees.

Weather Information

  • In summer the marine airmass from the south  usually dominates, so soaring conditions are poor
  • Best times are spring and sometimes in the fall
  • 5,000 – 6,000 ft MSL is typical over the mountain, 7000’+ is good
  • Thermals can be rough over the big rocks at the North Peak
  • Early in the year, the valley and LZ can be very good and smoother than the top

Vehicle Access

  • There is a locked gate on the road to launch
  • Drivers must exercise extreme caution while driving on park roads due to hikers. Do not exceed 15 mph and go slow when passing hikers. Drive so as to create a minimum of dust. We want no complaints about this
  • Vehicles must stay on designated roads. They are not allowed on the road to the North Peak
  • Drivers must ensure that the gate is locked when leaving the park