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Video feed from Cove: click here

"I am not a professional pilot, nor a serious competitor. I am just a dedicated paragliding pilot who has had the fortune of flying in several fun sites around the world. Richfield Utah, offers some of the most consistent paragliding sites that I've visited. I've seen pilots from across the globe come to Richfield and get a healthy dose of good flying. Between all of the sites, Cove launch is probably my favorite launch in Richfield. Cove is flyable most of the day (for at least 5 hours every day). This often means that pilots get more airtime here than many other mountain sites (ones with relatively small daily flying window). This consistent airtime coupled with the variety of launches, makes Cove excellent for a wide range of pilots (from beginner to competitor). With 3300' of descent, even a sled ride is worth driving up. As with any mountain site, conditions can vary considerably (which is part of the fun and challenge). With a weather station at launch, pilots can check out flying conditions prior to heading up there. The dirt road to cove is an easy drive (with some rough spots), and typical for a mountain site. The only thing that would make Cove even better would be if there was a cable car to launch for winter access (the flying season there is usually May to November). Some of best characteristics making the Richfield sites some of the best mountain flying areas around are, relatively consistent weather patterns, good access to an assortment of launch sites, the large valley that the Richfield area sits in (creating the consistency, and offering plenty of LZs), great cross-country potential, and friendly locals, especially Stacy." Thanks. Fio
- Fio Antagonini- (St. George Utah) - Rest in Peace

I made it above Signal Peak! Took a few attempts. The Cliff Face "spit" me up into wing collapsing turbulence and I chickened out . Got the courage to re-attempt from the south side using the "knobs"' to leapfrog up and over. Much smoother approach.
- Shane Grundy - (Florida)

Updated 1/29/22

Site guide

Cove Launch Recommended Winds: West launch
� HG: min 5, ideal 8. Max 20, gust 5
� PG: min 0, ideal 6, max 12 gust 3
� M2: : min 2, ideal 8, max 15 gust 3
� Ideal direction 260-280 degrees, Acceptable 225-315 degrees
� Min GR: 4.4
Recommended Winds: North launch
� HG: min 8, ideal 12. Max 20, gust 5
� PG: min 3, ideal 8, max 12 gust 3
� M2: min 5, ideal 10, max 15 gust 3
� Ideal direction 1-25 degrees, Acceptable 355-40 degrees
� Min GR: 4.8
Recommended Winds: South launch
� HG: min 5, ideal 8. Max 20, gust 5
� PG: min 0, ideal 6, max 12 gust 3
� M2: : min 2, ideal 8, max 15 gust 3
� Ideal direction 170-195 degrees, Acceptable 160-210 degrees
� Min GR: 4.8
Recommended Ratings
� West launch H3, P3, M2
� North Launch H3, P3, M2
� South Launch H2, P2, M2  

COVE CLUB:
This is everyone that has launched from Cove launch and benched all the way to the peak of Cove (and told us)!
To add your name, just e-mail jef@cuasa.com with your name and flight date.

2005 1. Stacy Whitmore (7/06/05) 2007 3. Doug Whitmore (6/09/07)
2. Cameron Street (8/30/05) 4. Jef Anderson (7/4/07)
2008 5. David Barton (7/14/08) 2009 12. Fio Antognini (Rest in Peace) (9/08/09)
6. Dennis McDonald (7/24/08) 13. Taggi T. (9/11/09)
7. Jochen Rink 14. Todd Nelson
8. Neil McGarry (8/28/08) 15. Ken Hudonjorgensen (9/24/2009)
9. Peter Boven 16. Rick Baars (9/27/09)
10. Dave Dixon (9/13/08) 2011
Nationals
Year
28. Barrett Kauffman (7/23/11)
11. Thomas Stankowski 29. Preacher (Rest In Peace) (7/23/11)
2010 17. Thayne Belnap (6/26/10) 30. Sam Crocker
18. Mark Latham 31. Chris Kurowski
19. Darius Lukoseviccus (7/3/10) 32. Fredrick Bourgault
20. Hildegard Niedeggen-McManus 33. Chuck Leathers
21. Daniel McManus 34. Jan Voegeli
22. Ron Peck (7/23/10) 35. Casey Meeks
23. Neil Hansen 2012 36. Kristjan Morgan (9/29/12)
24. Tony Lang 37. James Hull
25. Pierre Beney 38. Justin Brim
26. Benjamin Vandyke 2013 39. Doug Argen (6/26/13)
27. Gavin McSweeney (9/23/10) 40. Michael Trottier (9/30/13)
2014 42. Martin Piehslinger (5/1/14) 41. Jiri
43. Lee Wycoff (7/24/14) 2015 54. Josh Evans (06/17/15)
44. Doug Carlson (9/29/14) 55. Todd Bement (06/27/15)
45. Austin Kasserman 56. Jonathan Leusden (9/27/15)
46. Jim Baldo 57. David Whitmore (09/11/15)
47. Joe Wright 58. Thai Verzone (9/26/15)
48. Jan Kursic (9/30/14) 59. Joe McLaughlin (9/27/15)
49. Matt McGlamery 60. Nicholas Reiter (10/10/15)
50. Logan McGlamery 61. Brendon Elliott
51. Jack Rossman 2017
Banner
Year for
Cove Club
70. Ryan Runolfson (6/24/17)
52. Marten Van Speybroeck 71. James Cowan (8/31/17)
53. Chris Irish (10/1/14) 72. Vladimir Kremenovic (9/2/17)
2016 62. James Griffith (6/1/16) 73. John Murphy (9/25/17)
63. Matthew Van Zjl 74. Brian Fowler
64. Andy Schumachar (6/30/16) 75. Jacob Hartley
65. Jeff Arbon - Hang Glider (7/9/16) 76. Casey Bedell
66. Mike Packard (7/23/16) 77. Carl A.
67. Ryan Dunn 78. Paul Roys
68. Darren Verploegen 79. Tom Jenkins
69. Trevor Cowlishaw 80. David Morrey (9/26/17)

2018
Will this
be the new
normal??

25 Pilots!

95. Lena Lander (The eariest of any year) (4/9/18) 81. Curtis McDougal (9/27/17)
96. Curtis Harvey (4/14/18) 82. Judith Hutchinson
97. Larry Tudor 83. Mark Fisher
98. Raghu Madanala 84. Charlie Thomas
99. Korey Curtis (7/23/18) 85. Jared Stanley
100. Austin Adesso 86. Bart Garton (9/28/17)
101. Elaina Thorhill 87. Dan Bruce (9/29/17)
102. Nathan Pertuset 88. Devin McGlamery
103. Deor Jensen (7/25/18) 89. Jessie Bohn
104. Tim Blagen (9/24/2018) 90. Stephen Schmidt
105. Tim Reynolds 91. Charles Cozean
106. Patty Mayfield 92. Theresa Fielding
107. David Cox (9/25/2018) 93. Amanda Craft
108. Eric Klumner 94. Julia Krammer
109. Max Montgomery

2019

We had an
unprecedented
number of days
during the Red
Rocks Fly-In
that pilots were
able to bench
and join Cove
Club.

Even more rare
was that there was
one day that pilots
were able to bench
up the south bowl -
less than a dozen
pilots ever have
done that.

Also new this year
is the opportunity
to buy exclusive
Cove Club
jackets!

text Jef for yours:
435-896-7999

120. Bat Masters (6/16/19)
110. Mark Gilliam 121. Adam Green (7/20/19)
111. Nicholas Hamblin 122. Bryce King (8/13/19)
112. Jim Heckenkamp (9/26/18) 123. Katie Silva (8/14/19)
113. Attila Plasch 124. Kale Kudlacek (9/21/19)
114. Tom Texler 125. Brad Fairchild (9/24/19)
115. Mario Manzo 126. John "JJ" Jaugilas
116. Les Hooper 127. Will Craig
117. Shari Hooper 128. Mark (Curly) Dunn
118. William Smith 129. Tim Caplinger
119. Carolyn Reuman 130. Tom Mistretta
 

2020

This is representative
of the great pilots
that came to
Red Rocks 2020!

Out of 400 pilots,
these are the ones
that joined Cove Club
this year.

 
153. First Cove Club Tandem - Ben Cook (5/27/20) 131. Laszlo Lovei
154. Robert Richter (7/18/20) 132. Lance Murray
155. Tandem Pilot - Mark Arrietta (7/30/20) 133. Shea Dacus
156. Matt Minyard (9/5/20) 134. Carl Martell
157. Sarah Guastella 135. Chad Pranger
158. Riley Conley 136. Russ Kelley
159. Bob Brown (9/27/20) 137. Alek Jadkowski
160. Ross Desmond 138. Josh Sim
214. JD Mallory 139. J.C. Goodwin
215. Casey Evanoff 140. Pam Kinnaird
161. Brad Penoyer

(9/30/20)

141. Eric Bader
162. Randall Shane 142. Dan Evans
163. Bill Beninati 143. Julian Ansell (9/25/19)
164. Rick Fullmer 144. Nick Wilder
165. Kara Glynos 145. T.J. Sopher
166. Mark Dickson 146. Levi Chandler
167. Chase Hathaway 147. Kristian Hansen
168. Curt Chester 148. Greg Kelley
169. Mark Hug 149. Lindsey Ripa (9/26/19)
170. Shane Grundy 150. Tyler Burns
171. Russell Fogle 151. Arash Salimi
172. Landon Boufford 152. Jason Roberts
173. Cristian Avadon  2021 198. Ryan Corley (6/16/21)
174. Bowen Dwelle 199. Ken Millard  (6/20/21)
175. Ali Mahdavi 215. Amanda Winther (9/3/21)
176. Meghan Kate (10/1/20)

218. Clyde Kelso

(9/22/21)
177. Brent McCoy 200. Scott O'Brian (9/23/21)
178. Jeff George 201. Dave Oddy (9/24/21)
179. Patrick Hooper 202. Tonya Mistretta (9/26/21)
180. Josh Fugle 203. Larry Holder
181. Keita Sakon 204. Ron Davis
182. Julie Blacklock 205. Nicole McLearn (9/28/21)
183. Dave Blacklock 206. Alex Raymont
184. JT Wardle 207. Jared Scheid
185. Jon Irlbeck 214. Alex Buynytskyy (9/29/21)
186. Jeff Butler 208. Lewis England (9/30/21)
187. Ric Caylor 209. Roland Sanguino (10/2/21)
218. Aaron Rinn 210. Peter Kunkel
188. Alex Bogner (10/2/20) 211. Janica Schmanika
189. Derek Bartlem 212. Tim Carlson
190. Ian McManus 213. Steve Serine
191. Reggie Koch 216. Hunter DeMint
192. James Heckman 217. David Carroll
193. Chet Schwie      
194. Jessie Duan      
195. Stan M. Barankiewicz II      
196. Jonathon Hair (10/3/20)      
197. Anthony Marra      
198. Maxim Kazitov Sept 26, 22            

 

"You have not flown Utah until you have flown Cove." - Jochen Rink -

"The best ridge lift I have ever flown!" - Pierre Beney (France) -

"Cove may very well be the best site in Utah!" - Todd Nielson -

Cove is now a registered USHPA site under the administration of CUASA, and official chapter of USHPA. We have a few rules that we must have pilots follow when using Cove. Those instructions are as follows:

Site rules and risk assessment and mitigation plan for Cove Launch

8731ft/2661m GPS 38 38'03”N 112 03'39”W LZ: Steve, the LZ is at the rodeo grounds.

Cove launch is on National Forest Land and is administrated by the Central Utah Air Sports Association. CUASA. Membership in USHPA and CUASA and being familiar with the Cove risk assessment is required to fly here. Please contact one of our officers for information on risk mitigation, weather conditions and CUASA membership before flying. stacy@cuasa.com - jef@cuasa.com -jonathan@cuasa.com

     Cove Launch is located 12 miles South East of Richfield Utah at the top of the Thompson Basin road. High clearance vehicles are required. With over 3000 feet of vertical drop to the landing zone which is just north of the Monroe City Cemetery. A ridge finger extends miles out into and 3300 feet above the Sevier Valley, and creates a soarable take off in three different directions. You can bench up 3000 feet in evening ridge lift.

     This is a high mountain launch and requires the respect and caution associated with high mountain launches. A lot of heat can be stored in the terrain and thermal activity can continue until late into the evening.

      There is a 2.5 mile glide out to the landing zone over mountains valleys and unfriendly landing conditions, so head out to the landing zone while you are still high enough to make it. In the evenings the winds tend to move from west to north to east. Being aware of wind changes is very important to staying away from Lee side turbulence and rotor. Remember. When in doubt, head out. It is recommended that you head for the LZ if you are 300 feet below launch.

     Often in the evening basic wind direction is north but there are cycles coming up the west side. This can cause the west launch to switch from launch able to rotor conditions very quickly. In north flow - launch north.

     The west launch goes from fairly flat to fairly steep very fast. This launch should only be used when wind conditions are strong enough to indicate a reverse inflation.

     Other risks include vegetation near the launch areas. Sage brush and scrub oak and scrub juniper can snag lines if launches are not clean. Vegetation higher up includes pine and aspen trees. There is a 345 KV power line about a quarter mile from the landing zone. If you have any doubts that you can make it over the power line - land short and walk.

The plateau at launch invites top landings, but rotors are common if you are close the ground and behind the ridges. Use extreme caution when top landing.

     Your safety is determined by clear thinking and understanding the conditions and risks, CUASA and USHPA are committed to your freedom to fly according to the dictates of your own conscience, and decision making, and to making it as safe as possible by informing you of risks so you can make informed, wise, and safe decisions.

Cove site rules

1)     P3 or instructor supervision required

2)    Membership in USHPA and CUASA and familiarization with site rules and Risk assessment required.

3)  In Southwest flow stay even with or west of Pharaoh’s ridge unless you attain 11,000 feet altitude (even with the peak  because Pharaoh’s Tomb can be a 0 lift situation)

4)   In North and West cycles: use the north launch.

5)  The ridge rules “right of way” are to be followed at all times.

6)  Helmets are required and must be worn any time you are attached to the glider.

7) Spectators must remain 50 feet away from laid out paragliders, and be aware of launching and flying pilots.

8) All vehicles on launch need to park east of the road. This applies to both the west and the south launch.

9) No vehicles in the landing zone.

10) The higher north launch is intended for use by hang gliders. P4's only may use it – when no hang gliders are present. This is because of a very narrow window of safety.

11) Mini wings may use the Cove launches, but extreme caution should be used because of the distance to the landing zone. It is recommended that mini wings be 15 meters or more when using the Cove launches.

12) Any commercial instruction or site guiding must be done in accordance with USHPA guidelines and instructors must represent a PASA certified school.

13) Tandem instructors must be in compliance with the USHPA FAA Tandem Exemption, and all participants must be issued a 30 day student membership or current USHPA membership.



Directions to Cove Launch from Richfield, Utah;    Click on thumbnails to see pictures 
 

CentralTurnoffA:

WashburnRdB:

ThompsonBasinRoadC:

ThompsonRoadDirtD:

A. From Richfield, head south on Hwy 89 about 3 miles to the a town called 'Central'. Find your way to the middle of town. When you have come to the middle of town, there will be a park on the west side of the road and a tricky intersection. You make a kind of zigzag to continue going south on Main Street. This is the picture above.
B. After traveling south from the Central intersection about 1 1/2 miles, you will join a road following the foothills of Cove Mountain. This is called Landslide Road. Turn left.
C. The next turnoff comes a little quicker. When you pass two houses, the turnoff onto Thompson Basin Road is on the right.
D. Once you are on Thompson Basin Road, you will have a hard time not making it all the way to launch. When you see the radio towers, you know you are there.

 

Why isn't this working?

 

Some pictures from Cove.



A couple pictures off Cove North Launch.
1. You have heard of biwingual, well this is going a bit too far - don't you think?
2. The second is Dave with a beautiful forward lean off the north launch.
3. Stacy just after lift off.


Here is a picture of the LZ and one of Stacy benching over the cab with Dave doing a beautiful launch.