Kiona

Landing Area:

Fairly large and open with tall desert grasses-cleared of most rocks. However, it is on the sloping backside, with sometimes tricky rotor turbulence. Undershoots put you in tall sagebrush and overshoots put you on nasty rocks and/or road ruts. Sometimes it is easier to land on the face or top of the hill.

Hazards:

• The locals have traditionally used the area as an unlawful dumping site and drinking party zone. Thus, one must be careful to avoid broken glass, old farm machinery, rusty barbed wire, and worse.
• Parking only on downwind side of the road which can sometimes crowd the landing zone.
• Fire hazard almost always...Beware of hot cars parking over dry grass.
• Occasional rattlesnakes.

Directions and Site Access:

This site is open access year round except during scheduled events. Kiona Butte is public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Please do not abuse the privilege of flying there. Do not leave any trash, and take no chances with fires. Unlike Eagle Butte, parking at Kiona Butte is along the side of the road opposite from the slope. Please, do not park on the slope side of the road.

Map to Kiona Butte:

Review of Site:

Very large and open lift zone. No trees or buildings and very many flyable sections along a couple miles of hilltop. The lift works best with a northeast wind. This occurs somewhat rarely, but only the slightest north breeze coupled with early afternoon thermals produces strong and almost magically predictable lift - way out and way up. Since the hill has a steep backside, when the wind picks up above 20mph either from the north or south, experienced flyers can use a powerful rotor for dynamic soaring. The face is grass covered (except for junk-see "hazards" below) and gentle enough for safe landouts and retrieval. All types of slope, thermal, and electric flying are common. A permanent frequency control pole is provided at the West end of the most used parking and flying area, next to the prepared landing area and just below the dynamic soaring knoll.