Mussel Rock, also known as “The Dumps,” is a popular soaring site located in Pacifica, California. It is prized by local pilots for its ease of access and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, providing a perfect setting for long, leisurely flights. Although Mussel Rock is an unregulated soaring site, it is highly recommended for new pilots to seek a site intro from experienced fliers before launching. There are always seasoned pilots at Mussel Rock, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Please note that Mussel Rock presents many hazards that must be taken into consideration. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these hazards before flying by reading the guide links provided and consulting with local pilots. The best flying conditions are typically found in the fall and spring when the site is more consistent, but it is flyable year-round.
Mussel Rock, also known as “The Dumps,” is a popular soaring site located in Pacifica, California. It is prized by local pilots for its ease of access and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge, providing a perfect setting for long, leisurely flights. Although Mussel Rock is an unregulated soaring site, it is highly recommended for new pilots to seek a site intro from experienced fliers before launching. There are always seasoned pilots at Mussel Rock, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Please note that Mussel Rock presents many hazards that must be taken into consideration. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these hazards before flying by reading the guide links provided and consulting with local pilots. The best flying conditions are typically found in the fall and spring when the site is more consistent, but it is flyable year-round.
Hazards
Mussel Rock even though it is P2 friendly and when soar-able has very good consistent conditions, it is unregulated and not without many hazards like blowback, water, other inexperienced pilots, drones, hang gliders, and more. Always be alert to changing conditions like wind direction and speed, and before you fly check the tides as well since it would limit your landing options. Below are some general brief descriptions of the hazards, read guide links and speak with Local Pilots for more details for different conditions, launch, and landings.
Blowback
Blowbacks are common here, but preventable with good judgement, you can read this guide by Airtime San Francisco for more details. There have been fatalities due to blowback, it is a big risk in strong conditions. Behind the ridge there is a major highway, power lines, and populated areas in neighborhoods. Pilots need to keep an eye on the weather conditions especially out on the water for things like white caps building up, Pilot air/ground speed, etc… to make the right judgement whether to launch and when to land.
When unsure if you should launch in high wind conditions, consider that if you can not kite your wing in the current conditions, then maybe you should not fly. Also if there are no other pilots in the air that is also a good sign that it may not yet be flyable either.
Water Hazards
It should be obvious that the ocean is a major hazard when flying here, great to fly against the back drop of the vast Pacific, but it is also something to keep in mind when flying at Mussel Rock, Pilots should always carry a hook knife when flying this site. During high tide, the site has very limited or no beach landing options out on the ridge between launches and Fort Funston. Newer P2 and Pilots unfamiliar with the area are recommended not to flying during high tide even if conditions look good. If conditions change and turn too light to maintain, which it does happen often, it makes it very dangerous when out on the ridge. You can however still fly around the launch area and have landing options, but going out to the ridge can pose significant risk.
Landing near the water is also a big risk, if your wing on the ground gets caught by a wave or lands in the wave, it will pull you out. If for various reasons you are caught out on the ridge and your only option is the water or the ridge when conditions turn on you, something to consider that you may have a better chance stuck on the ridge than landing in the water.
Note: Paragliding at Mussel Rock is not officially sanctioned, but it is currently allowed. The future of this site depends upon its safety record.
Wind Direction: W, SW, NW, WNW, WSW
Wind Speed: 8-12mph
