Chelan Butte, at the eastern tip of Lake Chelan in eastern Washington, is arguably the premier XC site in Washington. The Butte has a world-wide reputation for big air and long-distance potential during the summer season, and has been the location of several national and international paragliding and hang gliding competitions. Several hang glider pilots, on both flex and rigid wings, are members of the “Spud Club” – those who have flown into Idaho from Chelan. In spring and fall, flying conditions at the Butte are often quite mellow, drawing good crowds of hang glider and paraglider pilots to the Beach’N, Fly&Bike, and Women’s Halloween fly-ins each year.

Photo by Steve Hyink

Protocol: USHPA membership required. Intermediate/H-3, recommend turbulence and flat-slope launch sign-offs. Must have parachute and helmet.

Contacts: Tom Johns & Lori Lawson, 425-898-8163; Larry and Tina Jorgensen, 253-847-4595 (h), or 253-380-9933 (Larry’s cell)

Flying Season: Spring, Fall, Summer

Access: 2WD is usually okay, very treacherous after rain, 20 minutes to top.

Launch Elevation: About 3700 MSL

Type: Slopes of varying steepness

Obstructions: Rocks on either side of S point

Faces: E (Ants in the Pants), S (Between the Rocks, and on the slope below the towers), SW (Green Monster), W (Lakeside), N (Sunnyside, on the ridge below the towers)

Notes: Beware of dust devils!!

Soarable: Yes, R/T

LZ Elevation: 1100 MSL (Junkyard LZ), 760′ MSL (Chelan Falls soccer field LZ)

Type: Grassy field

Obstructions: Power lines N & E in Junkyard, trees in soccer field

Notes: Very thermally!! Expect turbulence when landing midday; do not land in mature crops (gold fields) or orchards, or on the “three fingers” on the lake shore.

Moses Lake MM5 Soundings  1pm 4pm
Wentachee MM5 Soundings  1pm 4pm
Google Earth .KMZ file

Additional Notes: Launch is owned by DNR; all vehicles driving to launch MUST carry a shovel and minimum 10BC fire extinguisher. No smoking on launch. Ridge soaring is possible early mornings and evenings, otherwise this is a big thermal site. LZ is not visible from launch. Major XC site, location of ’85, ’86 & ’95 U.S. Nationals and ’94 Women’s World Meet. Also home to the annual Chelan XC Classic.

Chelan Butte Site Records

FW Howard Osterland 154 Miles
PG Mark Telep 120.2 Miles
RW Larry Jorgenson 185 Miles

Legend:
FW Flex wing hang glider
RW Rigid wing hang glider
PG Paraglider

Chelan Weather