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Mussel Rock Site Guide – Revised 2025

Mussel Rock / “The Dumps” — Coastal Site Guide

Overview: Mussel Rock is a dynamic coastal flying site in Daly City, CA. Known for ridge lift, fast-changing weather, and challenging terrain, it is recommended for intermediate and advanced pilots only.

  • Best for: Intermediate–Advanced pilots
  • Flying styles: Ridge soaring, occasional thermals
  • Wing types: Paragliders & hang gliders


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[accordion-item title=”1. Preventing Water Landings”]

⚠ Always carry a hook knife. Your first priority in a surf or water landing is to detach from your gear and get clear of lines.

  • Sand and saltwater can jam buckles; a hook knife may be your only escape.
  • Tether your hook knife to your harness so you don’t drop it.
  • If landing on the beach, approach parallel to the shoreline and collapse the wing away from surf.

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[accordion-item title=”2. Launch Areas”]

Lemmings Launch

  • Bailouts: saddle, upper road, middle road, steps, or beach (low tide).
  • Don’t go too low past launch — bail early if needed.

Walker Launch

  • Good access to plateau and core lift zones.
  • If flying toward Westlake cliffs, stay above old Hwy 1 road level.
  • Bailouts: steps, middle road, Gusto, lowest road, or beach (if available).

Jungle Launch

  • Best in WSW / SW winds.
  • Requires kiting to the top due to a front ledge.
  • Bailouts: plateau LZs, middle road, steps, lowest road, or beach (if available).

Tomcat Launch

  • Works best in WNW–NW winds.
  • Avoid in SW or WSW winds (rotor risk).

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[accordion-item title=”3. Rotor & Turbulence Awareness”]

  • Rotor forms behind cliffs, spines, and sharp terrain edges.
  • Stay upwind of triggers; rotors can extend several times the height of the terrain.
  • Be cautious around Cheetah Ridge, Death Bowl, and northern spines.
  • On cross-winds or shear zones, avoid hugging cliffs.

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[accordion-item title=”4. Site Checklist & Safety”]

Pilot Requirements

  • Minimum: Para2 (or equivalent)
  • Reliable reverse launches
  • Strong ground handling in high wind
  • Ability to collapse wing quickly after landing

Conditions to Monitor

  • Wind gradient and wind shear turbulence
  • Whitecaps = over-strength conditions
  • Rapid fog development
  • Shifting wind directions
  • Tides — beach may disappear at high tide

Hazards

  • Power lines, homes, and roads behind ridges
  • Bowls and wind accelerators
  • Rocky shoreline, surf, and landfill debris
  • Heavy site traffic (PG, HG, RC)

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[accordion-item title=”5. Emergency Contacts”]

Calling 911 may delay rescue; use local numbers when possible.

Mussel Rock / North of Cheetah Ridge Daly City Fire/Ambulance: (650) 368-1421
Daly City Police (650) 992-1225
Dunes / South of Cheetah Ridge Pacifica Police: (650) 355-4151

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Summary

Mussel Rock is a rewarding but unforgiving coastal site. Respect the hazards, monitor conditions constantly, and fly conservatively. If in doubt, seek a site intro from a local pilot or instructor before flying.