RecentEvents

Improvements at Hat Creek Rim and the importance of user donations...
(Courtesy of Shasta Sky Sailor volunteers and supporter donations!)

Home = Main Menu

In 1993 and 1996, significant changes occurred at Hat Creek Rim. A new landing area was created two miles south of the main launch area, below the highest section of Hat Creek Rim, along with a second launch area near the abandoned fire lookout. The new LZ greatly enhances safety for those who fly south along the highest section of the ridge. In 1996, the site began operating under a Forest Service Special Use Permit. After 21-years of being unofficial users at the site we became official, securing the future of flying at the Rim for decades to come and allowing continued maintenance and improvements. The downside is we pay an average of $450 per year to cover the cost of having the required toilet at launch pumped. In 2010, the Forest Service required insurance at the site, adding $250 per year to the cost of operating the site. USHPA provided the site insurance and requires us to do the best we can to insure that everyone who flies the site is a USHPA member. More information about what that means to the users can be found here.

Over the last 3+ decades the Shasta Sky Sailors have invested more than $4,000.00 and thousands of hours of volunteer time in the development of Hat Creek Rim.

Here's a breakdown of where the donated money goes at Hat Creek Rim. The figures represent an average annual required cost to operate the site.

Required toilet on launch - $150 each time it's pumped. We budget for 3 pumpings per year ($450.00 total)
NOTE: This doesn't include the very popular toilet we voluntarily put in the #2 LZ. When both toilets are pumped
it's a $200 charge. Why so much to pump our toilets? There is only one company pumping toilets in the area and ours are
in a remote place - We think the price in outrageous but have no other options.
Required site insurance - $250 annually.
Required Use Permit Fee - $30 annually.

These are just the required fees. Not included in the graph below are the maintenance and repair costs. In 2010 alone the cost of repairing the damage done by vandals to the Main Launch (cutting down trees) was $1,027.00. Other expenses for sticker and windsock material are donated by club members. Same thing with office supplies, stamps, etc. The cost of our annual work party is also absorbed by our club members.

Hat Creek Rim is a site worth the effort - its popularity and variety of soaring conditions makes it appealing for a wide range of pilots - from novice to experts. We ask for a very modest donation of $10.00 for a site sticker - the sticker is our fundraising backbone. We believe that if all users give just a little we can pay the bills and keep the site operating. Some pilots give nothing at all while others often send more than $10.00 for a sticker.

Hat Creek Rim is an all volunteer effort that has been working for decades thanks to the generosity of the flying community. The site sits entirely on Forest Service land. When you visit Hat Creek Rim you are visiting YOUR site. No club or group has preference at the site.

If you want input and current information about Hat Creek Rim join our Yahoo Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HatCreekRim/
OR
Join the club

THANKS
Thanks to everyone who supported flying at Hat Creek Rim in 2011!!!! Despite some serious misinformation being propagated by members
of a disgruntled club, we met our financial responsibility AND showed once again that an all volunteer effort can
work at the Rim. Here's a list of those who supported Hat Creek Rim and the site protocol in 2011 and the fund raising results for last year :).

Work Parties by Year
Why does the work documentation start in 2004, who developed the site before that? Go to the FAQs to get the answer.

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

Well, the 2011 work party at Hat Creek Rim is now history. The main focus this year was to remove brush in the #3 or Buttonhook LZ and meet our new FS Recreational Officer.
Some other minor work was done but clearing brush in the LZ was pretty grueling and enough for us. The unique camaraderie shared with those who find site
maintenance rewarding is very satisfying. Camp was full of fun and laughter. Although the north wind (which we knew was forecast) kept us from flying, we still had a great time.

In all, the entire work that was done this year cost the Hat Creek Fund absolutely nothing. As in years past, our time, effort, out of pocket expenses, supplies,
broken tools, toilet paper, fuel, windsocks material, etc. were all donated to the site by the volunteers (mostly Shasta Sky Sailors).
We are proud of our work at the site and believe that all users (and the site) benefit from our efforts...

A lot of preparation generally goes into a work party at the Rim. Sometimes that means coordinating with a construction company, arranging for specific tools and even sewing windsocks out of Tyvek! Shown here is Brian at work on his custom windsocks!!
Only the #3 LZ needed the windsock replaced. Page normally keeps all the other windsocks in good shape - we appreciate his help.

At left, Brian repairs the Forest Service sign. At right, he uses the last of the white paint to spruce up a dingy white rock. The line of white rocks divides the the #2 LZ. The north half is private property, the south half is Forest Service.

Remember, we can have the small rocks like we have or a fence dividing the LZ. Please do not land, camp, drive or breakdown on the north end of the #2 LZ. If you do land there, move quickly to "our" side of the white rocks. Thanks!

Brian heads to, well, the head in the #2 LZ with extra toilet paper. Remember, the paper goes fast, sometimes whole rolls are removed from the shitters. Bring a roll or two with you if you plan on camping in the LZ just in case (likewise at the launch toilet). It costs $200 to pump both toilets ($150 for one toilet) so, they only get pumped when absolutely necessary. Paper can run out long before the capacity of the toilet is reached. If you see the toilet needs TP, and can spare a roll, leave it. Thanks!

At right we meet with FS Tami and her crew. Tami is the Recreational Officer who wrote our most recent permit. It was a social meet and greet. The FS is happy with our efforts at the site and with the users there. It was a VERY positive and relaxed meeting.

The crew gathers at the #3 or Buttonhook LZ to begin the tedious task of weeding :( Not fun work. Jeff manages to break the first tool. There were some really tough bushes in the LZ.
Steve uses a specially designed weedeater with a saw blade on the end of it. It does a sweet job. Phil and Jeff double team a rather uncooperative bush at right.
Here's a good example of a before and after shot. It is no easy task to remove these native bushes. You might notice that it doesn't appear that there's much brush to be removed in the Buttonhook LZ. 7 years of going in and keeping the brush cleared is paying off. In 2003 the LZ had gotten so bad we deemed it unsafe for landing and a dozer had to clear it. We've cleared it by hand since then as a cost saving measure. The LZ remains in great shape.

The old windsock had seen better days and is retired after a year of service.

At right, the group is back at camp in the #2 LZ for a well-deserved break!!.

Camping in the #2 LZ in the Spring is just awesome. A beautiful time of the year at the Rim.

The temperature dropped in the teens overnight - a big fire was necessary to stay warm!! The BBQ and adult libations were enjoyed by a weary group of site volunteers.

At left is what the campsite looked like as we drove out on Sunday. Not a speck of debris was left - the site was as pristine as the day we drove in. This is the way it should be kept to keep the FS happy and our forest clean. As a rule, the flying community is very tidy and conscientious about leaving a clean site. That's much appreciated!!!
So, what did it cost for some of our volunteers to drive up and donate time and energy to maintain the site? Well, with gas prices as high as they are it was a bit pricy. For my F-350, it was a $200 fuel bill. Brian paid about $150 in his Jeep. I'm not complaining, the rewards far outweigh the cost - Hat Creek Rim is a labor of love for many of us.

2011 work party continued on Memorial Day weekend. Below are pictures from our Memorial Day visit.
A notice that Hat Creek Rim is an insured site is placed at the Main Launch. There is little doubt that the 'site alert' we posted during the Memorial Day weekend has been removed. The "story" will be that vandals removed the notice. Right!
It's a shitty job but somebody has to do it. How shit was splattered all over the lid and seat of the toilet is beyond me. We are required to keep a toilet at launch - we are not required to clean up when some asshole (literally) shits all over the seat and lid.
The Pilot Bulletin Board was cleaned and stocked with new advisories and maps. The bulletin board is located on the site of Fireside Village store.
Here Brian replaces the missing wind streamer at the South Launch.

The April work party and cookout was again a huge success and more importantly a lot of fun. The main launch and setup area were finished - cleared of debris left over from the vandalized trees and groundcover added. Unfortunately, a nice wind block that was created in 2009 was burned and vandalized - on the up side the rest of the site was left alone...

The original debris left by vandals was partially removed in 2009 (see below). In 2010 we finished the work and applied ground cover. The end result was the eyesore left by vandals was gone and a whole lot more setup area was added.

At right we all prepare for a classic evening of flying at the Rim.

Groundcover was added to the launch to elevate it a few inches. Years of launching had lowered it slightly. This work was done at the request of the Cloud Street Gang and with Forest Service approval.

The April cleanup and site maintenance event will continue. Spring is such a beautiful time in the area. At right is the crew you can thank for cleaning up what vandals destroyed.

The April work party and cookout was a huge success and a lot of fun. The main launch was cleared of debris left over from the vandalized trees, a nice wind block was created on the leading edge of the setup area, the Forest Service rock barrier was repaired, and the Forest Service had us place 'No Vehicle' signs at the barrier. In the #2 LZ, the toilet that was cut in half was repaired and a fresh coat of green paint applied. Saturday's weather was perfect for flying and a celebratory cookout. In all, 8 club members volunteered their time, money and energy cleaning up and repairing the site.

The debris and brush on the left were removed.
Cleanup was no easy task. A lot of manual labor was used to clean up the mess.
At left, the making of a fine windbreak along the leading edge of the setup area. Gliders can now setup with the nose facing west, as pictured on the right. NOTE: This windblock was vandalizes, burned and disassembled during the summer. Again, as with all vandalism noted here in these pictures, we are expected to believe this is some sort of 'random' vandalism occurred. BS! This was the act of a disgruntled pilot. Some people are so self-centered and feel so "entitled" at this site that they could care less who they inconvenience or what they destroy.
The Forest Service rock barrier is repaired after dragging the huge boulder back in place. The FS is serious about keeping vehicles away from the edge of Hat Creek Rim. If this barrier continues to be vandalized, something more substantial will be put in its place. This is now a designated a no vehicle area - you can be cited if you drive beyond the rocks.
The cleanup crew after a hard days work. On the right is another shot of the setup area and repaired rock barrier with the 'no vehicle' signs.
Here's the condition we found the shitter in. Pathetic what some people will do to a flying site. On the right, Brian put the final touches on the repaired toilet. It now sits a little further south from the old location. Again, this was the work of a disgruntled pilot, not an random act of vandalism.
The thick rubber band that allowed us to "stitch" the toilet back together goes in place. On the right, the door is hung in place.
The #2 LZ is a great place to camp, especially with a toilet nearby. It's beautiful in April.
The cookout begins!! Everyone was stuffed and enjoyed a nice fire afterwards. We watched 'Big Blue Sky' later in the evening, it's a great movie.

1/19/2008 - an early visit to Hat Creek this year resulted in finding leftover garbage, fireworks debris, a tarp, plastic, R/C fuel, buckets, beer cans - basically just a bunch of shit left over from a fly-in in the LZ a week earlier - we bagged it up and hauled it off. While we at the site we used a comealong to move a huge rock back in position at the main launch. Someone had moved one of the rocks from the barrier the Forest Service had put up to keep vehicles out of the launch and setup area. It took some time but we finally got the rock back in place!!

At left is garbage and debris left in the #1 LZ. We removed it. At right, we removed a fire ring and wood someone had put in the #2 LZ. The fire ring and wood pile were in the designated part of the #2 LZ

A lot of work but the big rock finally moved!!

Memorial Day Weekend 2008 - The annual work party gathers again. This year we almost had assistance from another Northern California club but their offer to help never materialized. Special thanks to those who did volunteer their time and fuel costs to improve Hat Creek Rim!!!!!
As usual we did maintenance to the Buttonhook LZ to keep it in safe and landable condition. The large barrier rock at the Main Launch that we found displaced in January was again moved to allow vehicles into our setup area - we moved it back to block access.

The LZ clearing crew! Hand tools and a couple of chain saws cleared a lot of small brush. The Buttonhook LZ remains a very safe and viable landing option while flying at Hat Creek Rim.
'Old Yeller' had seen better days. A new windsock also went up in the Buttonhook LZ.
At left shows where the barrier rock had been moved to - and on the right it's back in place an hour or so later. Again, an random act of vandalism was blamed. BS.
It was a good old game of tug-of-war to get the huge rock back in place. Often we thought the rock was going to win the war. This was not an easy task.
We cleaned and raked the area after getting the rock back in place. The setup area was also raked to repair the damage from vehicles driving in the area. Brian is wearing one of the new Hat Creek Rim shirts
4th of July weekend 2008 - The rock barrier has been vandalized again! What's even more troubling is the only tire marks behind the barrier lead directly to the shady setup area used by hang glider pilots!! Please don't drive behind the rock barrier...
If you look closely at the picture on the left, click to enlarge it, you can see how far the huge boulder was moved this time. With no tools with us, we replaced the boulder with smaller rocks (photo on the right).
The setup area was full of gliders. The Burney Mountain "lookout" looks good...
Labor Day weekend 2008 - The rock barrier that was repaired once again on the 4th of July, was again found vandalized on Labor Day weekend. The toilet in the #2 LZ had also been vandalized for the second time in a very short time period!
Only a couple of weeks before Labor Day weekend we had our first case of 'toilet-terrorism'; some idiot pushed the toilet over. It was full of shit then and caused a real mess. Intermountain Septic Service righted the toilet and cleaned it. Labor Day weekend it was found pushed over again, this time the door was ripped from its hinges. I was able to right the toilet and prop the door back in place. Some people are real assholes...
The rock barrier, constructed by the Forest Service to keep vehicles out of our setup area and away from the launch, was again vandalized (photo on the left). The photo on the right is the way it looked on the 4th of July. The rock barrier has been vandalized 3 times in 2008 and is most likely being done by pilots. This sort of disregard for the wishes of the Forest Service certainly reflects poorly on the flying community...

The main objective of this year's site maintenance weekend (Memorial Day weekend) was to replace the older porta-potty at the main launch with a newer more spacious one and to place the older toilet in the #2 LZ. The flying was great and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all who helped out!

We reconditioned the porta-potty on the left in 2005 - it's now in the #2 LZ and a newer porta-potty is in its place at the Main Launch.
A new porta-potty (in the background on the left) at the Main Launch and the old one headed to the #2 LZ. The toilet in the #2 LZ (right) saw plenty of use by those camping in the LZ during the Memorial Day weekend.
UV claims another windsock - only the frame remained. This is exactly why it is recommended to check the LZs before flying! A very nice pilot (I think his name is Ray) had placed streamers on the pole when he found the sock missing. Thanks Ray!
Brian Bokkin touches up the painted rocks that designate the private property on the north end of the #2 LZ.

The Hat Creek Volunteer Fire Department (HCVFD) contacted the Hat Creek Committee about helping them update their aging rope inventory. As many of you know the Hat Creek area, including the Volunteer Fire Department, support flying at the Rim. The HCVFD has always been responsive to the flying community, so helping out seemed like the reasonable thing to do. On behalf of the flying community, members of the Shasta Sky Sailors personally delivered 300 feet of search and rescue rope this Memorial Day weekend. At nearly a buck a foot this stuff is not cheap, this was a substantial donation. The funds for this project came from user donations (shirts and stickers), club membership and web sponsors. From all of the Hat Creek Rim volunteers and club and committee members, we offer a very sincere THANK YOU for supporting Hat Creek Rim and making this donation possible.

On May 27th, Club members Brian Bokkin (Hat Creek Committee Member), Steve Kozloff and Mike Hunter (Hat Creek Committee Member) present Chief Randy with 300' of rescue rope. At right, a reporter for the Intermountain News covers the event!
On the list of scheduled maintenance this year was the line of white rocks that indicate the private property line splitting the #2 LZ in half. Originally, the landowner wanted a fence erected, but the Hat Creek Committee negotiated this rock compromise instead. Can you imagine a fence across the middle of the LZ?!? - not a safe option! Remember - if we want to keep the rocks (and not a fence) don't breakdown, drive or camp on this private land. If you accidentally land on the private side (north half of the LZ) move to 'our side' right away.
A box to distribute site guides was added to the bottom of the Forest Service sign at the main launch area. If you happen to find this box empty, feel free to pick up some extra guides at Fireside Village and restock the box on your next flight! Thanks.
The bush on the left (along with a bunch more) is history... The Buttonhook LZ looks much different today than in 1993 when hundreds of menacing stumps littered the entire area. Some of you may remember the 'adopt a stump' fundraiser, it funded the clearing of the stumps! How many LZ's were created in California in 1993 or even since then? This was a project well worth the effort!
Steve Kozloff with his weed-eating machine! He made short work of the brush that grows so well in the Buttonhook LZ. The Buttonhook LZ is maintained in a safe and landable condition as a bailout LZ for those who know the pleasure of soaring the highest section of Hat Creek Rim.

Our toilet was full of holes (shotgun blasts) and had many serious cracks. The cracks and holes were all repaired and the porta-potty painted. Also, the large lava rocks right in front of the door (trip hazards) were removed for easier access. The final touch was 'tagging' the outhouse with our para/hang gliding emblem.
This was a pretty simple fix, we just replaced the wind streamer with a windsock - much easier to see from the ridge!
In an effort to keep the Buttonhook LZ as clear as possible, brush is being removed by hand each year. The work party meets every Spring and volunteers from other clubs are welcome.
Here's the before and after view looking off of the South Launch - note the large bush on the left side of launch in the picture on the left - on the right, the view with the bush removed. This was a potential side wire snag! See a MPEG video of launching here - 4MGs
The old pile of rocks that had held the sign up for years are gone - replaced by a cement foundation. This was done on Memorial Day 2005
On Labor Day we found the USFS sign vandalized or run over. It's missing from the old location on the left. We repaired and moved the sign behind the rock barrier that leads to setup and launch- hopefully for safer keeping.

The pictures below show the Main Launch (first set of side by side pictures) and the Buttonhook LZ (the remaining pictures) and illustrate the dramatic difference recent maintenance and improvements have made at Hat Creek Rim. For far too many years the main launch has been responsible for annoying red volcanic dirt deposits on our gliders. With the club's recent purchase of 27 tons of gravel, and an equal amount donated by the Forest Service, the ultimate solution to keeping the 'red' out was finally reached... wall to wall ground cover!

The Buttonhook LZ was cleared of hundreds of stumps back in 1993. Ten years of encroaching brush along with sparse debris left over from the original clearing were causing safety concerns and needed to be removed. On 04/24/04, a large road grader made short work of cleaning up the area. Special thanks to Bob Thompson, owner of Hat Creek Construction. Bob bent over backwards to make his company and equipment available and affordable to do the work (the Thompson family has a very long history in the Hat Creek Valley and have been more than fair with our club - they fully support flying at the Rim and are great folks too).

Main Launch, Before

Main launch before (left) and after... The rock barrier seen in the picture on the right was put there by the Forest Service to keep vehicles out of the setup and launch area. Over 50 tons of gravel was spread throughout the area to smooth the irregular surface and to rid the setup area of the nasty volcanic dust that once clung to our wings!

Main Launch, Now

Before The view of the Buttonhook LZ looking northeast. This manmade LZ required hundreds of stumps to be removed by our club in 1993. Returning brush and leftover debris from the original clearing were removed on 4/24/04.

#3 LZ, Now!

Before, Looking Southeast Here's the before and after view looking southeast.

The windsock (not shown) is located at the western edge of the LZ.

Now!

The recent improvement to the Main Launch greatly improve the convenience of setting up your glider and the maintenance to the Buttonhook LZ improves safety for the increasing number of pilots who fly south along the highest part of the rim! This recent work was made possible by an agreement with the Forest Service (and their willingness to help), the volunteers who work diligently on the site, and most importantly, the awesome support of the flying community!! The donations that come from the 'Friend of the Rim' decal made all of this work possible. If you are one of those who has supported the Rim, reach over your shoulder and pat yourself on the back!! Hat Creek Rim is an all volunteer effort that is working!! THANK YOU!!