Marco Polo

Marco Polo
Updated 7/31/2024

Google Earth [KMZ] / Current Pilot Info Version dated 7/31/2024

Marco Polo Launch is located in a clearing (Marco Polo Meadow) along a ridge line above the Polo Fields. The ridge is not named on local maps but is sometimes referred to as Toro Ridge and or Polo Ridge and or Toro Canyon Ridge.

Marco Polo Meadow straddles two 40 acre parcels owned by the USA government and is within the jurisdiction of the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF).

Access to Marco Polo Meadow is via a hiking trail. The lower 1000 yard (0.56 mile) section of trail from the trailhead up to the ridgeline is across 3 private property parcels. There is a stone bench atop the ridgeline that resides on the western of the 2 USA government owned (LPNF) property parcels. The trail from the trailhead up to the bench is marked with Santa Barbara County Park trail markers. The remaining 400 yard (0.22 mile) section of the trail along the ridgeline from the bench to Marco Polo Meadow is currently unmarked and routes across LPNF property. The marked trailhead is located at the crest of Toro Canyon Park Road with unimproved roadside parking for 4 to 6 vehicles (depending on the weather and vegetation). The trail is steep near the bottom but eases after the initial couple hundred yards. Elevation gain is about 250 feet vertical (from the road to the high point), but travel is mostly lateral with some up and down sections. Total distance from the trailhead to the meadow is about 1400 yards (just over 3/4 of a mile). The lower section of the hike is mostly under oak canopy. The ridgeline section of trail only has a few sunshade spots. The trail continues east from Marco Polo Meadow across the eastern of the 2 LPNF property parcels but the section east of the meadow is currently significantly overgrown. Historical imagery and YouTube videos indicate that section of trail was recently more utilized. There were some horseshoe prints along the ridgeline section of trail, but the eastern section is now too overgrown for horses. The trail continues east across private property down to the Arroyo Pardon Creek. Pilots have used the overgrown eastern section of trail to hike both up and down between Marco Polo Meadow and the Arroyo Pardon Creek.

Marco Polo Meadow and Marco Polo Launch are about 1,075 feet MSL.
The Trailhead off Toro Canyon Park Road is about 880 feet MSL
The high zone along the trial (about 150 yards west of the meadow) is about 1130 feet MSL.
1130 - 880 ~ 250 feet of vertical elevation difference.

The site can have ridge lift, but it is more of a thermic soaring site and tends to work better when the base wind is light. The ridge face is tall and steep near the crest and will chimney it's own draw when heated if the base wind isn't too strong. Too much wind will overpower weak thermals and result in cross and punchy conditions. The site tends to work better with low cloudbase. When cloudbase rises on good lapse rate days, the higher mountains behind draw stronger so the lower front points will be in the feed path toward the main trigger line. Works good in May Gray and June Gloom when the Marine Layer is above takeoff altitude. When the mid-summer marine layer is squashed down below takeoff, launch can often be up in the inversion zone of the airmass profile, which is not good for thermals.

Still a lot to learn, but it seems to work down in the marine air below the inversion during May Gray and June Gloom. Later in the summer, I suspect we will want to target the switch when the morning SE clocks around to give way to afternoon SW? It will likely work most days that Elings is soarable, and like Elings timing will likely be an important tactical consideration? Elings is lower and can work when the marine layer is below MP launch. During our prime South Coast winter soaring season, it will likely work better early in the day when cloudbase is low. After cloudbase has risen the taller mountains behind will likely work better.

History pending / Christened by Sandra Acres on Sunday 3/10/2024 at 2:46:55 PDT

Ownership Research Info pending / County Trail Easement across private property up to LPNF property

County and other government entity contacts pending...