| Site Description: Beautiful
long canyon ridge, wonderful site to ridge soar with the "locals" (hawks
and eagles). One of the most beautiful scenic areas in the SW
Idaho desert, and easily accessible by any vehicle. Don't miss it!
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Wind Requirements: Site sets up nicely on days with West-Northwest winds which may be too lite to fly other local sites. I.E., on a lite westerly day, Swan is a good pick. Can be launched & flown in stronger conditons by capable pilots. | Preferred Rating: This is a P-3 or above site unless students under supervision. You MUST have ability to kite your glider and launch aggressively, as there is a steep drop just below launch. Not a total cliff, but almost. MAKE SURE your wing is fully inflated and FLYING before you launch at this site! | Hazards: Power lines just North of launch, numerous other powerlines, rapidly changing weather. | Restrictions: This site is squarely in the middle of the Birds of Prey area. May be some restrictions in spring due to raptor nesting. |
| Driving Directions: From Kuna, ID, go South on Swan Falls Road to the top of the grade going down to the power plant. You will come to the canyon before you get to the top of the grade... basically, keep going until the road goes steeply DOWN... that is where you stop! From the lookout at the top of the grade, hook back around the power station on the bumpy gravel road to launch. Streamer may or may not be there... | Access: One of the great beauties of Swan Falls, Launch is on BLM property (public land) and the landing area is on Idaho Power property open to the public. No need to obtain permission to fly here as of this writing... | Vehicle requirements: 2wd vehicle
is fine; the road from top of grade to launch (all 200 yards of it) is a
little bumpy.
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Landing: Top landable close to rim or way back; huge LZ below launch, easy access by vehicle. | GPS Launch coordinates: N 43* 14.020' W116*22.212' Vertical: 700' Launch Elev: 3000' |
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Swan Falls is a wonderful flying site and a nice place to visit. Boating, camping, fishing, and scenic vistas abound here. |
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