La Jolla
📍 Queretaro · Nearest city: Santa Catarina (10 km)
58 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2625 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
20.81730, -100.54300Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:22 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Very favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1468 m, wind 10 km/h, precipitation 0.9 mm.
base ~1468m · wind 10 km/h · precip 0.9mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~1522 m, wind 14 km/h.
base ~1522m · wind 14 km/h · precip 0.5mmVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~2422 m, wind 23 km/h.
base ~2422m · wind 23 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21🌟 Exceptional day · peak 80 at 16h
⏰ Useful window: 10:00 – 17:00
| 08 53 | 09 63 | 10 63 | 11 63 | 12 73 | 13 78 | 14 78 | 15 78 | 16 80 | 17 80 | 18 73 | 19 65 | 20 73 |
Peak 16h: CAPE 160 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 2460 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 4337 m · 0°C at 4890 m · Pro score 68/100 · sun 36° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 16:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 20.3°C · Td: 6.6°C
LCL (cloud base): 1712 m
BL top: 2460 m
0°C level: 4890 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 2 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.89 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.61 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 2630 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 6.8° |
| Slope aspect | 318° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | north — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Park at the base of the mountain across from the pond. Hike up about half way up to a barely improved patch cleared by the local pilots. Not for faint of heart ;)
Rules and notes
Respect the locals and don’t leave trash or plastic bottles behind you.
Pilot comments
It’s a nice place to ridge soar in the evening or fly cross country. But a small hike is required and the takeoff is not friendly to novice pilots.
Nearby sites
La Barreta (39) · Doña Juana (11) · Picachos (9) · Tangano (11) · El Salto (41) · Cañada de Moreno (4)