Burney Mountain (as seen from the Hat Creek Rim Main Launch area)

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Do you want to feel like you're on top of the world?  Take the hour long drive (from the Fireside Village area) to the summit of Burney Mountain and that is exactly where you are.  Breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding area, including Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Hat Creek Rim.  Even if you don't fly, this adventure is worth every dirt-road mile.  Take the family and friends (don't forget the camera) and marvel at the views.  Pack a lunch and picnic on top of the world (dress warmly you're at 7800 feet above sea level).  A gate located about a mile from the summit is open only during the summer fire season (June thru Sept ?).  This site was first flown by a hang glider (a 19' Eipper-Formance Standard Rogallo, piloted by Phil Sergent) in 1974, before Hat Creek Rim was even discovered.  A 4-wheel drive vehicle is not necessary but good ground clearance is (unless it's a rental car :).

PILOT PROFICIENCY; Pilots flying Burney should have at least a United States Hang Gliding Association foot launched Advanced Rating (or have the equivalent skills) and be proficient in; Restricted Landing Field (RLF), Turbulence (TUR), and Assisted Windy Cliff Launch (AWCL).
Burney Mountain is located across the valley from Hat Creek Rim (as seen in the photo on the left).  The setup area at Burney is 7,800 msl.  The only LZ for Burney Mountain is near Burney Springs!!  (see map) It's located on the southeast side of the mountain. Burney Springs is reachable (if you come from the town of Burney side) by following Tamarack road around the mountain four miles beyond the turnoff to the lookout. Alternatively, you will pass it directly if you are approaching from the Hat Creek Rim side. Roads are all 2WD. It was erroneously posted on the web that an area in the Hat Creek Valley was the designated landing zone for Burney Mountain. This is not true! It's private property and we've never had permission to land there. The responsible thing to do when flying Burney Mountain is to respect all the private property in the Hat Creek Valley and avoid the area completely.

REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF YOUR ABILITY AND HAVEN'T THOROUGHLY FAMILIARIZED YOURSELF WITH THE SITE BEFORE FLYING...DON'T FLY.

YOU FLY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Description written by Mike Badley

Name: Burney Mountain (40°48'24" N, 121°37'38" W) - 3,200 vertical to LZ
Burney Mountain LZ - 40°46'38" N, 121°36'35" W
Location: Burney, CA, USA;
Usage: Hang-gliders and Paragliders
Season: Summer and late fall, snowed in winter-spring. Fly in for northern California pilots on Labor Day weekend in
conjunction with Hat Creek Rim glass off site.
Requirements: Hand 4, RLF, XC, TUR, FSL all recommended, mountain flying experience a MUST. Not monitored
or regulated.
Records: No major XC north or west due to mountainous region. Flights of 20+ milers to Lassen (south) and out to
McArthur (east) have been done.
Radio info: No set frequencies. 2M repeaters are available in region. CB channel (xx) is monitored in Fireside Lodge
near Hat Creek

Launching

Launches: Shallow slope, loose shale 7,860 ft. msl. Wire crew needed to maneuver glider over road cut to launch due
to gusty conditions. Launches to west and south
Winds: Can be VERY windy and gusty, in excess of 40 mph. Typically will blow out by early afternoon. Prevailing
winds are from west and southwest.
Driving directions: From Redding, CA on Interstate 5 - east on Highway 299 towards Burney, CA (45 miles - 1
hour).You will see Burney Mt. just over Hatchet Pass. 2 miles before entering Burney turn right on Tamarack Rd. There
are several U.S. Forest signs that indicate the way to the top of Burney Lookout... follow these. Entire distance is
approximately 12 miles. Alternatively, if approaching from Hat Creek (camping), on Highway 89, just north of Hat
Creek and Doty Road(Fireside Village), there is a turn off to the left well marked with forest service signs. Continue to
follow these past the LZ (Burney Springs) to Burney Mt. lookout. About 20 miles.
Road conditions: The road is dirt, 2WD all the way to top. There are rough spots and it is very steep on the
switchbacks as you climb the mountain. You will have excellent views of Shasta and Lassen Park as you ascend.
Parking: Park at ranger's lookout. Room for about 4 vehicles leaving room to set-up gliders.
Facilities: Outhouse on top. Emergency phone available in Ranger's station - if attended.
Setup area: Set up on top of mountain in wind shadow. Room for about 10 gliders.
Hazards: No obstructions. Free & clear launch.

Flying

Type of flying: Big mountain thermaling. Limited XC to the east and south. Difficult XC to the west into the town of
Burney. Little to no XC north. Very rugged, tree covered.
Restrictions: Site is in the northwest corner of the Whitmore MOA with use Mon-Fri from 11,000 to 18,000
Hazards: When the winds are strong, there is a rotor on the lee side of the mountain, go over with at least 2,000 ft. Do
not come back - main L.Z. is a fast glide from this point. Extreme bailouts available along this route through logged
terrain, land on roads to avoid stump attack.

Landing

Landing zone: The only LZ for the site is on the southeast side of the mountain in a large open area called Burney
Springs at 4,850 ft. msl. Winds can be switchy. With strong winds, there is a rotor right at treetop level as you descend
into the clearing. Please resist landing the large green fields in the Hat Creek Valley, east of launch. The landowners have
asked us not to land there. Cross country in a northerly direction (towards the town of Burney) is fine just avoid landing
on crops or where cattle are grazing.
Driving directions: Burney Springs is reachable by following Tamarack road around the mountain another 4 miles
instead of taking the turnoff up the face to the lookout. Alternatively, you will pass it directly if you are approaching from
the Highway 89 side. Road conditions: 2WD all the way around the lower mountain roads. No gates.
Parking: Unlimited parking access
Facilities: No facilities in either LZ. Nearest full facilities are in Burney, or in little stores along Highway 89 near turnoff
to mountains. Hotels available in Burney - cheap. Many USFS campgrounds along Highway 89. Best private campsite is the Hat Creek Ranch, near Doty Road and the Fireside Lodge. $10/night - with full showers and stores nearby.
Burney Springs can be a very turbulent LZ, not for the feint of heart. The field is a thermal generator and can really
dump you at the last minute. Treetop level is the most hazardous portion of the approach. Try not to land just beyond or
adjacent to the treelines.

General

Summary: Big mountain, butt kicking thermal time!
Land ownership: BLM, USFS
Other use: Logging along mountainside (occasional truck traffic). Attractions include Lassen Volcanic Park, Burney Falls (state park) and county fair over Labor Day weekend in McArthur. Excellent outdoors vacationing spot.
Emergency: Nearest hospital is in McArthur - 20 miles to northwest on highway 299. Emergency services may be
obtained in Burney as well.
Maintenance: Roads maintained by USFS and logging companies.