(>  Mount Harrison  <)

Photo Credits:  Shada Luby, Paraglide Idaho staff Photographer (and cute redhead chick to boot) / John Barsness

Site Description:  A 9000' launch with a million dollar view.  Flattish launch used by hang glider and paraglider pilots.  Long X-C potential from this site. As an aside, there are beautiful timbered campsites high up on Mount Harrison, a couple pretty alpine lakes also.  this is a great paragliding destination with Connor Ridge, Mount Harrison, and Frank Gillette's East Hills all within easy reach.  In addition, you are only an easy three hour drive up to King Mountain or Sun Valley from this area.	Wind Requirements:  Site is flyable from SW to North-Northwest.  I have not flown it a lot so am not an authority on the best conditions.  Frank Gillette would know... Regardless, it should only be flown in stronger conditions by capable pilots.  Normal launch is to the W-NW and work your way North along the ridge.  Also, the South side of the Mount Harrison lookout has been flown by hang glider pilots.  I haven't flown it so am not including it here.	Preferred Rating:   I flew this site as a P-2 with my instructor, but would have to rate this as a P-3 or above site because of the strong thermals and the fairly long glide to reach a good LZ.	Hazards:  High density altitude, dust devils, strong thermals.  My first big collapse was off of Harrison (albeit we were flying early afternoon).	Restrictions:   No site restrictions that I know of... except for time of year and that most LZ locations are on private land.  This site can be flown spring thru fall, and winter too if you can hike thru 10' of snow to access launch!
Driving Directions:   From Albion, go south about 6 miles or so and watch for the turnoff to Mount Harrison.  Follow the paved road to the lookout.  About 1/2 mile before the look out, a gravel road takes off to the North then turns west to launch.  The gravel portion is about a mile from the paved road.  NOTE:  The landing area is almost an hour commute around from launch... you have to go EAST back to Albion, then North towards Declo, then back West and South to the LZ areas.  It takes awhile for the driver.  So pilots be sure to take water and a good book with you!	Access:  Public land at the launch site, again mostly private land in the valley below.  However, I would not sweat dropping in unannounced.  Use common sense-- don't land in a farmer's newly planted beanfield, for example.  If you do some binocular scoping from launch, you can pick out a couple good LZ's on your own.	Vehicle requirements: 2wd vehicle with high clearance works.  Once you leave the pavement, the road is pretty rough in places but not steep.	Landing:    Most of the good landing sites are on private ground.  There is a large cattle feedlot which you can see from launch, and a couple other private LZ's that would require a guide with local knowledge to point out to you.  Not really an issue.	GPS Launch coordinates: this is for the lookout so launch will be a bit different 42° 18.98'N 113° 39.82'W Vertical:  4,000' +/- Launch Elev: 9000' +/-

From launch looking Northwest.  You can see the feedlot in the lower left corner.	From Launch looking North.
Mount Harrison Lookout.  Say howdy to the caretaker in the summer!	Frank Gillette on the Harrison Launch.  This photo looking W-NW.
Dennis Wheeler prepares to go tandem with Frank.  Photo looking S-SW from launch...	Launch, looking West.  You can see the feedlot LZ above the right wingtip.

  Here is a map of the general launch area: