Gunter (Bishop - Owens Valley)
📍 California , Inyo County · Nearest city: Bishop (16 km)
58 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 2500 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
37.46680, -118.26900Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:21 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~1923 m, strong wind (50 km/h).
base ~1923m · wind 50 km/hNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~2880 m, wind 18 km/h.
base ~2880m · wind 18 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~2761 m, wind 10 km/h.
base ~2761m · wind 10 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 80 at 15h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
- High cloud suck (100/100) — base below freezing with CU
⏰ Useful window: 13:00 – 18:00
| 08 30 ☁️⚠️ | 09 30 ☁️⚠️ | 10 29 ☁️⚠️ | 11 36 ☁️⚠️ | 12 28 ☁️⚠️ | 13 51 ☁️⚠️ | 14 74 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 15 80 ☁️⚠️ 🏔️ | 16 63 ☁️⚠️ | 17 53 ☁️⚠️ | 18 63 ☁️⚠️ | 19 63 ☁️⚠️ | 20 45 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 15h: CAPE 130 J/kg · LI -2.1 · BL top 3095 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 4387 m · 0°C at 3120 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: 15:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 9.7°C · Td: -5.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 1887 m
BL top: 3095 m
0°C level: 3120 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) | 7 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.78 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.39 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Takeoff description
As usual in the valley: rocky, some weeds, but a small area is clear enough to lay out 1 PG...
Rules and notes
Max alt: 17999ft
Pilot comments
This launch site was used for a US National PG competition. This launch is great for all levels of pilots. Many launches to choose from. The only drawback it that the landing area is a long glide out. So don't think about landing! Just fly XC. Its easy to get stuck deep in the mountains. Be prepared to land out on a ridge if you hang out too long! Wait for a lull to launch!
Nearby sites
Paiute (Bishop- Owens Valley) (66) · Paiute South Launch (5) · Paiute West Launch (5) · Paiute North Launch (5) · Flynns (Bishop - Owens Valley) (55) · Paiute Landing Zone (5)