Horse Canyon
📍 California , San Diego County · Nearest city: Pine Valley (7 km)
55 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1397 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
32.77470, -116.47700Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:25 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~1501 m, strong wind (32 km/h).
base ~1501m · wind 32 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~1395 m, strong wind (28 km/h).
base ~1395m · wind 28 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~1872 m, wind 23 km/h.
base ~1872m · 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❌ Not recommended · peak 40 at 8h
- Very stable day (CAPE<50, LI>2) — no thermals
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
| 08 40 ☁️⚠️ | 09 40 ☁️⚠️ | 10 30 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 11 30 ☁️⚠️ | 12 30 ☁️⚠️ | 13 27 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 14 14 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 15 14 🏔️ | 16 7 🏔️ | 17 13 🏔️ | 18 15 🏔️ | 19 24 🏔️ | 20 10 🏔️ |
Peak 8h: CAPE 0 J/kg · LI 15.6 · BL top 245 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 3871 m · 0°C at 3760 m · Pro score 64/100 · sun 28° 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: 08:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 10.7°C · Td: -9.1°C
LCL (cloud base): 2474 m
BL top: 245 m
0°C level: 3760 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) | 5 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.83 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.45 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
Do NOT park vehicles in upper set-up area, keep clear for top landings. Do NOT attempt top landings if Hang Gliders are setting up.
Rules and notes
Current USHPA required and SDHGPA membership recommended http://www.sdhgpa.com/horse.html
Pilot comments
PG & HG 2M Freq. 144.950
Nearby sites
Fuzz (Closed) (44) · Laguna (51) · The Rock (Closed) (3) · Blossom Valley (46) · Otay Mesa (46) · Iron Mountain (34)