Mormon Lake Overlook
This soaring site is located 20 miles South of Flagstaff on Mormon Lake Road (Forest Highway 3). Drive South on Lake Mary Road past Lower and Upper Lake Mary. Continue a mile past the Mormon Lake Loop Road to the Overlook Parking Area (West side of Lake Mary Road).
A volcanic cliff forms a long steep 200 foot slope on the East side of Mormon Lake. This provides for great sloping in Southwest to West wind which very common in the Spring.
The lake ia mostly full again after several years of drying out. We had a good 2007-2008 winter snow season.
The overlook is a great place to see lots of birds which use this cliff as a natural flyway and hunting area. Common birds include Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Raven, Turkey Vulture, Sharpshin/Coopers Hawks, Kestrel, and Bald Eagles (during the Winter and Spring). This also is a popular place to see large herds of Elk.
The dry lake bed of Mormon Lake, Spring 2007
View looking North towards the San Francisco Peaks (Fall 2004).
This years annual ZAGI day is Sunday May 20th at Mormon Lake Overlook. Get your wing ready and join us for some fun combat flying!
Mormon Lake Overlook is a great slope soaring site with drive-up access. There is a paved "lookout" with a three foot wall that deflects the wind, creating a calm "pilots" area. You can stay out of the blast... warm on the coldest of days.
The lift can be very strong in our typical Spring SW winds. Stay out in front of the slope, in the vertical lift. If you get overhead or behind, you will most likely be blown back towards the highway. 20+ mph days are common in the Spring. Fly your warbirds and/or lead sleds... bring ballast!
Landings here are mostly controlled crashes. There is an obvious and significant "rotor" behind the slope, especially in the parking area. The cliff face is mostly solid rock and boulders (with a few bushes and trees). The top is grass (or pavement) with lots of big rocks and a few cacti. Do fly your foamies here... crunchies beware!