Potato is technically “unregulated”. It is a 1700 foot mountain in the coastal range of California, near a few taller peaks (Snow mountain and St. Johns) and Hull Mtn not too far) that are close to 7,000 ft high. The MSL of the LZ is 1,700 and Launch is 3,400. The launch faces ENE. In the summer season, midday flying can lead to landing in a extremely, thermally active, LZ. The LZ is very large. The launch is fairly small and allows just enough room to stage a glider or two with one launch possible at a time. The launch is maintained by pilots and often some gardening work is done in the spring.
If Potato were regulated, it would likely be a P3 site with sponsorship for P2s. Pilots flying as low skilled P2s should at minimum have more experienced pilots with them and also have a solid grasp on weather checks. The most important concern at Potato is when west winds blow strong and the LZ gets mixing air from the 3 canyons that connect there. This is a recipe for accidents. Also, the W wind can blow over the back and pilots on launch might not be aware. This can be prevented to checking the wind on the way to launch as you walk out the Potato Hill ridge to launch. Always do this and check to ensure it is not blowing over the back.
Maps and Directions to Potato Hill
Recommended Camping Locations:
There are several camping locations near the LZ, but it is hot, dusty and not so pleasant, once pilots found the two above, nobody camps at the other.
(Because of bad signal in area, print the directions below these links)
Google Maps to Dixie Glade campground Beautiful, Quieter, 10 – 15 minutes to launch, no water, Outhouses
- First, navigate to Stonyford
- Take I-5 north to Maxwell, about 40 minutes North of Sacramento
- Exit at the first Maxwell exit and then go west on the main road (At the first junction/split, Sites, turn right toward Lodoga.). At Lodoga, turn right and continue to Stonyford (total of 1/2 hr – 40 minutes driving time from Maxwell to Stonyford)
- When you arrive in Stonyford, turn left at the stop sign.
- From Stonyford to LZ, Launch and Campground – To the LZ
- Continue about 1/4 mile and then turn left on Fouts Spring Road (This is the 3rd left)- There are signs to Fouts Spring
- It is about 20 minutes on this road to the LZ. Stay on the main road all the way till you reach Fouts Springs ( you will see a campground parking area on the left as you arrive in Fouts SpringsThe road will wind up over the hills, then descend down to a valley. When you reach the valley continue and look on the right for the Fouts Spring Youth Facility.
- The LZ is the huge field in front of the vacant buildings on the right side of road. There is a dirt parking lot on the left side of the road for parking.
- To go to Dixie Glade Camp or Letts Lake or launch from the LZ continue on the same road up the mountain.
- To CAMPING: Watch on the right for the sign for Dixie Glade campground, about five miles past the Youth Facility. Coordinates for Dixie Glade 39°20’6.81″N and 122°42’13.09″W At present “2020”, Dixie Glade is now open again, after closure from a huge fire a few years ago. If you continue on the road, about 20 – minutes up the road, you will come to Letts Lake and there is a campground there. If your GPS works, you can use the GPS: Lat – 39° 18′ 10.238399″, Long – 122° 42′ 27.6948”
- To LAUNCH: The road to launch is the first turn-off on the left after you pass Dixie Glade. Take this left and follow the main dirt road up until it “T”s into a road at the top of the ridge.
- Turn left and follow this until it makes a 90 degree right turn and becomes steep. There is a trail-head and room to park at this elbow. The Trail at this elbow goes to the Potato Launch. The hike is about 10 – 15 minutes and has not intersections, just stay on the trail.
