Blanchard

Blanchard launches from Samish Overlook, a ridge above the San Juan Islands on Washington's northern coast, with clean soaring wind from the south through west. At just over 1,250 ft it's a modest hill, but the payoff is the view — open water and islands laid out below, especially striking as the sun goes down. Access is by gravel road off Barrel Springs Road; a 2WD car is fine, and a Washington Discover Pass is required to park. The landing field below is private land, flown only because the owner allows it, so pilots are expected to treat it that way: stay off the driveway, keep clear of the house, don't block the road, and keep parked cars to a minimum — there's overflow parking a short way south near the organic garden at the first intersection. Watch for power lines criss-crossing toward the farmhouses on the approach. If conditions push a bail-out into a different field nearby, there's no standing permission for those — land, gather your gear quickly and leave without lingering.

Launch & conditions

Launch is at Samish Overlook on the ridge; south through west winds work best, with a light south breeze giving the cleanest soaring conditions.

Getting there & local rules

Gravel DNR road off Barrel Springs Road, fine in a 2WD vehicle — a Washington Discover Pass is required to park.

Local rules & hazards

The landing field is private property flown only by the owner's permission: stay off the driveway, don't fly over the house, don't block the road, and keep car numbers to a minimum. Watch for power lines running to nearby farmhouses on the approach, and if you have to bail into a different field, there's no standing permission there — collect your gear and leave quietly.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Blanchard, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Blanchard with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.