Launch 2000 Site Survey
By Norm - AI2C and Kay - KA2IJU
On Sunday, October 15, 2000, Norm - AI2C and Kay - KA2IJU made an expedition into West Virginia and Western Maryland. The survey took over 9 hours and 310 miles and covered territory west to Romney WV and west of Frostburg, MD. The following is a summary of the 26 locations which may be good for launching balloons. Of course, they did not speak to any land owners about possible launches. Several public facilities were found that would make good launch sites. A few digital pictures were taken.
Site |
Latitude |
Longitude |
Site Description |
1 |
39° 10' |
78° 0' |
Berryville Fair Grounds in rear parking lot. Use eastgate off Business Rt. 7. |
2 |
39° 16' |
78° 19' |
Open field on south side of Rt. 50 just east of turnoff to Gore. |
3 |
39° 16' |
78° 22' |
Open field on south side of Rt. 50. 1/2 mi. east of turnoff to Rt. 610. |
4 |
39° 17' |
78° 24' |
Open field with dirt road access on south side of Rt. 50 at Va - WV border. |
5 |
39° 18' |
78° 26' |
Capon School on north side, off Rt. 50 about 1/4 mi. |
6 |
39° 17' |
78° 27' |
Field on south side of Rt. 50 about 1 mile east of Capon Mtn. |
7 |
39° 18' |
78° 35' |
Open filed on south side of Rt. %0 at Pleasant Dale. 1 Mi. east of Rt. 29N. |
8 |
39° 18' |
78° 37' |
Open field on south side of Rt. 50. 2 Mi. east of Augusta. |
9 |
39° 18' |
78° 38' |
Augusta High School. South side of Route 50 on hill. |
10 |
39° 19' |
78° 41' |
Mtn Top Restaurant-Farmers Market. 4 Mi. west of Shanks. |
11 |
39° 16' |
78° 47' |
Hempshire County Park on west side of Rt. 8. Open 9 to 9. |
12 |
39° 30.5' |
78° 46' |
Mineral County Fairgrounds 1/2 Mi. north of Rt.46 on east side of Rt. 28 at Forth Ashby. Good, big site but some tall grass. |
13 |
39° 40' |
78° 44' |
Exit 45 on I-68 east of Cumberland. Good for SW thru E launch. At a BP gas station with big parking lot in rear on ridge. |
14 |
39° 42' |
78° 38' |
Rocky Gay State Park. Our 1999 launch site. |
15 |
39° 40' |
79° 9' |
Off Exit 22 on I-68. Open fields on east side of Chestnut Ridge Rd to Little Germany State Park. Several good farm fields here. |
16 |
39° 16' |
79° 4' |
A Pull-Off east bound on I-68 at mile marker 25. Go west to Exit 22 and turn back east.Might be a little small. |
17 |
39° 37' |
78° 44' |
"Potential" site on Rt. 51 south of Cumberland on east side. Electric fence. 3/4 mi. west of East Wilson Rd and Main St. |
18 |
39° 33' |
78° 37' |
Oldtown Fire Company. East of firehouse on Rt. 51. West of Lock Nr. 70 on C and O Canal and 12 mi. west of Paw Paw. |
19 |
39° 17' |
78° 16' |
Big grass field on west side of Rt. 9. 1 Mi. north on Rt 9 from Great Cacapon and 1 mi. south of Panaramo Rest. and 6 mis from Berkley Springs. |
20 |
39° 35' |
78° 14' |
Vacant commercial building and parking lot on east side of Rt. 533. 4 Mi. south of Rt. 9/Rt.522 in Berkley Springs. |
21 |
39° 33' |
78° 15' |
Open lot at least 300 x 300 ft on east side of Rt. 522. No lines. 5 Mi. south of Rt.9/Rt.522. |
22 |
39° 31' |
78° 17' |
Large green field on east side of Rt. 522. 1 Mi. north of Cacapon State Park entrance. No lines. Launch any direction. |
23 |
39° 28' |
78° 18' |
Large green field nest to single house on east side of Rt. 522. i Mi. north of divided Rt. 522 highway and WV-VA border. |
24 |
39° 20' |
78° 18' |
Lot with big rocks to rear on east side of Rt. 522. Just 1/2 mi. north of Rt. 701 turnoff. 11 Mi. south of WV-VA line. |
25 |
39° 18' |
78° 16' |
Open field on east side of Rt. 522 just south of BP gas station. Just north of Rt. 684 turnoff. |
26 |
39° 14' |
78° 11' |
Winchester Church of God on east side of Rt. 522. 1/2 Mi. north of Indian Hollow Rd. Large field to SW of church. |
27 |
39° 24' |
78° 20' |
Abandon Farmers Market on West side of Rt 522. 5 Mi. south on WV-VA border. Near WB4ACC's Son QTH. |