Switchbacks

61.314083, -149.443191
Updated January 8, 2025

Description

Pilot Recommendations

 

P3 skills recommended

 

In person site intro recommended,

especially for pilots flying XC

Weather Conditions

Wind Direction: 120° - 280°

PG:

Min: 0mph / Ideal:5-8mph / Max:10mph / Gust:5mph

 

 

Hazards

This is a backcountry site that is flown infrequently. Pilots should only fly here if they are confident in judging conditions appropriate to their skill level

Ideal launch conditions can vary greatly during time of year and time of day. Pilots are urged to watch conditions for a while before committing to launch

Hazards can include, but are not limited to, water crossings, heinous bushwhacking, animal encounters, weather exposure, extreme terrain and difficult, complex navigation

Restrictions

Do not land within 50' of other recreators

 

Mountain Ridge and Thermal Site.  This site is NOT managed by the Arctic Air Walkers, and this Site Guide is provided to assist pilots in making good decisions about flying at this site.

The switchbacks has a long history as a launch site for hang gliding and paragliding but with limited landing options and restricted launch access it's no longer suitable for hang gliding. 

This site can produce strong thermals.  Launch early in the season and early in the day.  There's a large band of rocks below the south facing launch which creates wickedly strong thermals.   Don't linger close to the ground.  Many pilots who make the XC run from Baldy to the Nature Center at the end of the Eagle River Valley find flying high over this area to be the roughest part of the flight.  Rocket ship rides immediately after launch are the norm.  Be careful!

For those venturing deeper into Eagle River valley, be aware that anabatic valley winds routinely setup early in the day and can be very strong once the day gets going.  Pilots should try to stay as high as possible (at least 4,000ft) in order to stay out of the valley wind which creates a lot of turbulent and makes for risky landings.  Most pilots try to stay above the surrounding mountain tops; especially when trying to fly west out if the valley.

Read the LZ guide for Columbia Glacier Loop Road.  You really don't want to land there in strong thermic conditions.  The Switchbacks is really an XC departure site that allows for an earlier XC start than you would get at Baldy.  Most pilots that fly here do not intend to land at Columbia Glacier Loop Road or anywhere in Eagle River Valley.  If XC is not for you then this site is probably not for you.

Launch

Switchbacks Launch

Access the launch from the trailhead at the switchback where Lynx Way turns into Brownie Drive.  There is limited parking so it's better to carpool up.  Hike up the power line cut and follow the trail to the peak indicated on the map above.  The hike is about 1.1miles (1,400ft gain) to the lower launch and about 1.5 miles (1,700ft gain) to the much better upper launch.  The hike takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Landing Zones

Columbia Glacier Loop Road

61.301893, -149.460671

This unusual bail-out landing zone is nothing more than a road in a sparsely populated neighborhood.  It is typically used as a bail-out LZ for XC flights.  Pilots launching from the Switchbacks also tend to land here if they can't get enough altitude to head to Baldy.  The locals are friendly but probably just because we don't land here very often.  Be sure to park well off the road and don't block any driveways.  Avoid folding up your glider in the middle of the road. Be sure to walk/drive through the area before landing here - it's a very tight space to land.

Eagle River RC Park

61.271793, -149.366065

This cleared area was once an RC airplane park but it has been shut down for a while and is closed to us landing at.  The paved runway, clubhouse, barriers, etc have been removed and it's now the nicest place to land on an XC flight in the Eagle River valley, however it is closed to us to land.  This is an emergency only landing site. As with any LZ in this valley, the mid-day winds can be strong and when mixed with thermals, the final approach can be rowdy.  

Switchbacks Swamp

61.293594, -149.449319

This swamp is probably the safest place to land if you find yourself sinking out during a typical rowdy day at the Switchbacks.  While it's a bit inconvenient and you might get damp feet, it's way safer than trying to land in the Colombia Glacier Loop Road neighborhood.  The swamp can be quite wet so pick your landing spot well.  Be prepared for voracious mosquitoes.

Weather Considerations

Pilots need to keep a careful watch on weather conditions, both on launch and in the air.

Wind Direction: 120° - 280°

Min: 0mph / Ideal:5-8mph / Max:10mph / Gust:5mph

Make sure to launch early in the day and in the season (April or earlier). This site will become STRONG at times other than this!

Requirements

Pilots are expected to evaluate the launch, the possible landing areas, the weather, and other conditions.  Flights are at the Pilot's own risk. 

This is a backcountry site with a general recommendation that pilots be P3 level or above.

It is flown infrequently, all hazards inherent to flying a backcountry site in Alaska may be present.

These hazards can include, but are not limited to, water hazards, heinous bushwhacking, animal encounters, weather exposure, extreme terrain and difficult, complex navigation.

Pilots must be comfortable evaluating weather and landing conditions from the air.

This site is located in a complex mountain environment, and strong knowledge of local weather patterns is recommended.

Hazards

Other hikers/spectators/berry pickers may occasionally visit this site and the potential for a conflict exists. Pilots are cautioned to ensure an appropriate distance is maintained between launch and landing activities and the public.  Pilots are expected communicate to the public as needed to maintain clearances. 

Most pilots that fly here do not intend to land at Columbia Glacier Loop Road or anywhere in Eagle River Valley.  If XC is not for you then this site is probably not for you.

This is a natural mountain site and there are many natural hazards that are common to many natural mountain sites in Alaska that could be a hazard for pilots. 

There may be no cell phone reception in many backcountry areas.  Pilots are expected to be prepared for self-rescue and by carrying Spot, InReach or other non-cell based communication equipment.


WARNING: The descriptions of typical flying conditions listed in this Site Guide reflect the experience of the authors of the guide. The conditions that you encounter at the site may differ, sometimes substantially, from those described. These descriptions may not be relevant to the possible experience of any other pilot, particularly one who is relatively inexperienced or new to the Site.