The Blossom Valley Saga

October 2001

Blossom Valley is now closed due to concerns from SDG&E and local landowners.  It was never really an official site, but the landowners never complained.  The straw that broke the camels back was a visiting paraglider pilot who disregarded local advice and launched in weakening conditions.  Unable to topland, the pilot then turned the corner to go land in the park.  Unaware that the park was surrounded by electrical wires, the pilot came in too low and wound up in the wires.  He shut down power to the area and luckily ended up with only 2nd degree burns.  This was the third incident in the past couple of years where a bad landing closed down power to the valley.  The locals are now upset and there is a fine (amount unknown) for landing in the park.

Blossom was never a rated site, but most people felt is should have been a P3 due to the fact that the LZ was not visible from the launch.  There was an ample toplanding area and a smaller bailout LZ that allowed options other than the park.  The only reason the park was used was if you couldn't make it back across the valley from El Cap due to strong winds.  It was a great site and it is sad that a few isolated incidents of poor judgement can cause its closure.  Under pressure from the SDHGPA, I was asked to remove details of the site from my website.  Since the site is now "outlawed" only outlaws fly there...............................