Best current Altamont Pass wind source?

[LeeD]

Wind is usually from WSW, so the upper T that allows you to sail the longest possible direction, launch at the N end, where the picnic tables are located, is favored.
Fisherman seem to line up along the I of the T, so if you get caught downwind in that part of the T, it's where you have to avoid the lines. And it's too short to pinch back upwind even with tacks.
Wind comes downward at a slight angle into the water, so even when it's blowing 35+, you need a 4.5 sized sail to get and keep planing.

[geohaye]

[windward1]

Was the truck rocking from the wind or other activities?

[vmaher2045]

Used to live in Livermore and sailed Bethany a lot. It is jibe city but fun. I'm that guy in the full wetsuit at Sherman and I never wear a wet suit at Bethany except in the spring. Had a posting in rec.windsurf. Haven't been there in years (I'm a lazy driver - now mostly at stick and Crissy.)

Talked to Dave the mayor at Bethany a few years back - he told me fewer people go there now. Used to be a pretty regular crew. Thing to know is it's glass at 2:30pm and whipping at 3:30 most days. Blows all night - great place to sail on big moon nights. You want to cross the dam to get to the windsurf beach. On really windy days play superman on the dam and watch almost head high chop/swell go over the dam.

Gotta get back there one day.


https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/bethany$20$20windsurf/rec.windsurfing/8OedH6oFQf4/8NhpCL6z1-IJ

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I used to live in Livermore and sailed regularly at Bethany.
The bad is that main area which is sailed is a very short run as you seen.
Take the run from close to the beach past the left point by the channel and
jibe in the channel. Or go high into the high section and run downwind on
the return trip. The grassy area and the small(!) beach make for good
rigging and launching.

The good is that in the spring there are many days with 30-40plus wind all
day. Some days are unsailable. There's nothing like not being able to get a
3.0 or 3.5 up to instill humility and get the adrenaline going. Bring your
small wave stuff if you have it. As spring rolls into summer the wind the
wind starts at about three o'clock and blows into the night with the best
wind right at sunset.

One thing nice about Bethany is that you can windsurf in the summer on a 4.0
and no wetsuit. Another neat thing is this is the only place that I know of
where there's regular moonlight sailing.

The main reservoir can be sailed with access from the either the boat launch
or actually sailing (with some walking) through the connecting channel. The
wind is not as strong in the big section but the runs are pretty long.
Hardly anyone sails the big section. The venturi effect at the small section
draws most people.

There are a number of regulars that sail there and are pretty friendly. (If
any of you see this email me. I now live by Candlestick.) Bethany is a state
park and as such is governed by state park rules. When I was there last if
you didn't have an annual state park pass it hit and miss with the ranger
enforcing the fee. Most of us regulars bought the pass because it's cheaper
if you go regularly. If you sail I advise paying the parking fee. The fine
is fairly stiff, somewhere in the area of $150. If you just looking to see
if there's wind or waiting to see if it comes up the ranger is accommodating
as long as you're around your car. I've been asked once to pay the launching
fee.

I can really recommend this place for big wind and speed freaks. It's also
really good for learning how to waterstart. And if you sail here regularly
your jibe has GOT to improve because of the number you make.

If you need any more info let me know.
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[jroberts]

Try this site for info:

http://www-metdat.llnl.gov/cgi-pub/reports/current.pl?tower=SITE301

This site is situated high in the Altamont, similar to Bethany Reservoir, but farther south. It might help assess conditions there.

I sailed there a few times and it was good fun.

[peters5966]

I appreciate all the info fellas, more than I expected. The state park website says $10 for entry, no fee to launch hand carry water crafts and $75 365 day pass for Bethany and a score of other state parks. The $10 entry fee is a little steep so the pass would be the way to go for semi-regular use. I wonder if there's a general rule of thumb indicator it might be firing aside from the wind sites, eg. bay fogged in and the Delta's blowing and/or fog pushing into Dublin/Pleasanton. What triggers a wind event there? I hear there is a slab Bluegill bite going on there now so I might try to head over this weekend with my 7 year old to scope it all out.

[LeeD]

That whole area, including LakeDeValle, blows when the fog creeps over the EastBay hills, and over Orinda.
While some NW clear days can blow thru, usually with STRONG NW coastal winds, it's a better direction and steadier when the fog is bringing the winds, or the winds are drawing the fog.
You'll know when you turn onto Vasco Rd if it's windy.
And the poster who made the detailed report.... Hi Vasco, from your bud, Domond!

[geohaye]

[windward1]

Glad to hear it! That all night wind is less bothersome that way.

[peters5966]

Checked it out Saturday and went back yesterday. Bought a park pass. The fishing was good, caught a bunch of bass and 'gills dinking around with my son. He loved it.
I'd say the run by the dam is comparable to sailing Oyster and staying in the cove. Picked up two bags of garbage along the lake shore near the beach. The whole park gets no monitoring from the state park service except to empty the garbage cans. Came up to 15mph on Saturday and n/e wind yesterday. It was 102 when I was leaving to go home, yikes. Hard to imagine waves breaking over the dam which looked to be more than 10' above the water, that would be crazy. Sort of a scary driving over the dam as it is with no railings on either side. Amazing how few people were there, even on the holiday. I like that. Sailing in the main lake looks intriguing, I could see heading out there on a 6.0 when it's two sizes smaller near the dam. The water is Maui warm. That's my initial take, thanks again.