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Mount Ellis - Little Ellis PG Launch
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Mount Ellis - Little Ellis PG Launch
Spot info
Spot details
PPG friendly
Not marked
Authorization
Not marked
Club / contract
Required
Launch faces
SW, W, NW
Forecast point
Ready
Access notes
Park off Mount Ellis Lane near the trailhead without blocking ranch gates or driveways, enter state land at the gate, and carry the current Montana recreation permit. The unmarked hike to launch takes about 1.5 hours; the club advises a guide for the first hike and a local briefing before flight.
Site rules
- Carry the current state-land recreation permit and obtain a current Bozeman Airforce/local-pilot site introduction.
- Do not block gates or driveways, and do not fly or land near horses, the trail, houses, or neighboring private property.
- Plan the LZ while walking through it because it is not visible from launch; a temporary windsock is advisable.
- P3 and strong forward/reverse launch skills are recommended; avoid strong thermal periods and be willing to hike down.
- Use radio frequency 151.505 after confirming locally and follow all current USHPA limits.
Launch directions
SW, W, NW
Direction notes
The club describes SW-NW soaring; the published source warns against a tailwind and the LZ can become katabatic.
Safety notes
- Launch is narrow, steep, rocky, and bushy. The LZ is hidden from launch and contains bushes, large rocks, wire fences, and overhead wires.
- Thermals can exceed 200 fpm near launch and conditions can differ dramatically from the LZ; strong activity commonly occurs from about five hours after sunrise until two hours before sunset.
- SW-NW can soar and glass off, but a tailwind launch is inappropriate and katabatic LZ flow can develop late in the day.
- The launch is 8.560 km and disclosed LZ 6.376 km from the nearest current FAA facility; no current R/P intersection was found.
Additional notes
Retained as the current club's Mount Ellis/Little Ellis site with a standing state permit. No PPG evidence exists.
Map pin (exact launch)
Published Little Ellis launch point at the current Mount Ellis state-land site.
Navigation warning
The pin is not the unmarked hiking route, parking, gate, LZ, or permission to cross neighboring ranch land.
Official website
https://www.flybozeman.org/sitesSpot review
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Airspace status