Dry Canyon Alamogordo, NM (USA)

[Nate]

Happy 2023 Finis and RGSA friends.

I am curious about the condition of Dry Canyon. It is such an epic site.

Nate

[Bill Cummings]

Hey Nate, since Covid-19 in 2020 there has been very little Hang Gliding flights from the Dry Canyon launch ramp.
My Xterra never had the ground clearance necessary to go up the road when the road up was at its best. Even Mike Ellsworth’s Toyota with a lift kit now has a lot of trouble with the road up. I did hear of PG’ers making it to launch but I don’t know what they used to get up the road.

[Finis]

I did hear of PG’ers making it to launch but I don’t know what they used to get up the road

Jeep Rubicons with big tires. https://vimeo.com/showcase/7910008/video/698295482

On a later trip (video coming when I have time) a Jeep like this and Lee Boone's Toyota Tundra made it. The Jeeps had no trouble. The Tundra needed scouting, planning, and direction by someone out of the truck but it could be done. I might hike the road and report its condition when warm weather returns.

Someone, Steve Crye I think, spoke of a contact in the Forest Service who might help with the road. I guess not or you would all known about it.

[Bill Cummings]

An email this morning from RGSA President Stephen Crye.
Steve talked with the Lincoln National Forest Service Ranger about the Dry Canyon road.
The Ranger is thinking that work has been done on the bad spots but the Ranger hasn’t
seen the results. He assured Steve that the Forestry will work with the RGSA.
If anyone gets a chance to inspect the road all the way to the top please let Steve know
so that he can post to the fliers. Or posting here what you find will work too.

[Finis]

Mr. Crye says the road has been worked on and is in "good shape". He and others are going up tomorrow 3-13-23. I'll drive if I don't have too much work.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Mr. Crye says the road has been worked on and is in "good shape". He and others are going up tomorrow 3-13-23. I'll drive if I don't have too much work.

Have Fun!!      Take video!!     

[Finis]

Confirming that the Dry Canyon road is repaired. Regular 4WD trucks can get up there. A Toyota Tacoma had no trouble. The lower part is easy (driver grumbles) and the upper part is rough but no problem for the 4WD trucks HG pilots have always brought.

Mr. Crye, Max (Montgonery?), and Norm Bloom flew paragliders. They spoke hopefully of having a Memorial Day fly in.

[Bill Cummings]

Finis, thanks very much for the report on the Dry Canyon Road.
In other news RGSA President Steve Crye is making arrangements with
Stephen Jensen to store the RGSA’s portage cart. The cart comes in
handy for transporting hang gliders up to the Mag Rim Launch.
Robin Hastings built this two glider portage cart for the club.
Robin succumbed to pancreatic cancer September 6, 2021.
A little after his passing Nancy gave away most of the HG equipment to
Chris Grotbeck for his planned HG Museum at Albuquerque NM.
Since then I’ve been storing the cart at my house but either one
of the Steve’s will be the go to pilots to contact to use the cart.

[Nate]

Happy to hear Dry is open again. Keep us posted if a fly in is in the plans for this year!

Thanks,

Nate

[Finis]

Will there be a Memorial Day fly in?