Sehewoki’i Newenee’an Katete

This north–south ridge near Emmett, Idaho, launches from 1,731 m with two takeoff options — southeast-facing for morning flights and west/northwest-facing for the afternoon — giving the site real flexibility as the day's wind shifts. Top-landing back at launch looks possible given the terrain, though local pilots typically arrange a shuttle instead. Cross-country potential is real here, in an area with a fading but real hang-gliding history worth learning from local pilots. Sharp basalt rocks around the launch mean lines need careful handling during setup. Getting there from Emmett means heading north on the main road (Washington Rd/Highway 52) through town, which becomes N. Van Duessen Rd, then turning right onto dirt Butte Road for about a mile before turning north onto another dirt road that leads to launch. Landing depends on which takeoff is flown: the southeast LZ sits near corrals along Butte Road, the west LZ is near a white cinder-block storage building on a gently sloped, boulder-strewn hillside where landing on the dirt road itself is the better call to avoid ankle injuries, and hang gliders use a separate, gently sloped grassy field.

Launch & conditions

Two takeoffs cover the day: southeast-facing for the morning, west/northwest-facing for the afternoon. Sharp basalt rocks around launch mean lines need careful handling during setup.

Getting there & local rules

From Emmett, head north on Washington Rd/Highway 52 through town (it becomes N. Van Duessen Rd), turn right onto dirt Butte Road for about a mile, then turn north onto another dirt road that leads to launch.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sehewoki’i Newenee’an Katete, 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 Sehewoki’i Newenee’an Katete with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.