Cutoff lows are a fickle meteorological phenomenon which bring instability and moisture as they stagger about like a drunken sailor for days on end with little prediction if their intention are beneficial or mischievous on any given day. Well today, Mr. Cutoff Low decides to deliver a friendly sky to Northern California; so I take "JH" on a short five mile tow SE of Williams and release for a slow 3K foot spin under developing Q before pushing towards the hills.
The clouds over the foothills are magnificent with flat bases and reliable lift.
I push a little past the Gold Mines for a clear view of Clear Lake.
Back to Rumsey, then I follow the foothill clouds North pushing into a blue hole towards the mountains. Crossing the North end of Bear Valley I meet up with "1PS" for a few turns in weak lift.
The mountains look a little overdeveloped, but I have to try.
I push under the O.D. and scream up Goat Ridge.
With low bases in the mountains and some obscurement North, I turn Goat Peak and follow my trail back towards The Rumsey Gap.
After another lap to Gold Mines I head out to the Sacramento Valley skirting the North end of Capay Valley.
Late Afternoon and the lift begins to fade as thermal season is drawing near. I've been up a little over three hours, so bring it back to WSC for an infamous crosswind landing after soaring the wonder of a cutoff low.
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