Lake McClure: Merced County
This site has a wide variety of technical and rewarding aspects, all packed into a 2 launch site.
Lake McClure is H3-H4 rated site, but is flyable by H2’s under the conditions outlined in the Mother Lode Skyriders site guide. This was the first mountain site that I flew when getting my H2, and it was worth it. Depending on the time of day, the site can give you mild sledders into an easy uphill landing, or the thermals can be going off, and you can be trying to fight through the lift to be able to get down low enough to get into the LZ. Mornings are pretty mild usually, and then around 11am on the good days, things start to pick up. To fly here, you have to contact a ‘key holder’ to open the gate for you, or contact a site member for combination code to get you in. There’s a waiver to sign, etc. It’s worth it. People have flown XC from here, and someone made it from this launch to Bakersfield.
***Verizon cell service is somewhat decent here, mainly at launch. AT&T has almost no coverage, except spotty coverage at the launch***
What to do before you go:
Talk to a member of Mother Lode Sky Riders to get details (Check their Facebook Group)
What to bring:
$8 to get in the gate for the Horseshoe Bend State Rec Area
Bring wheels for your glider if you use them. LZ can be challenging
Usual stuff: Vario, Windmeter, Gopro
2-way radio. Frequency 144.150
Water, bring plenty. It gets hot
Some tips for the site:
100% definitely get a site intro from someone who is familiar with this site
There are a few options for places to land, including the lake bed since the lake is so low
If wind is from the south, use the South Launch. The trail through brush should be visible from the road at the standard launch.
If you have a single surface glider and wind is straight down the chute in the LZ, cross the road with about 150’ altitude coming into the LZ