Category: Launch Announcements

* IMPORTANT UPDATE*

Due to the high winds today and even higher winds on Sunday we will be closing the range at 2pm Saturday and not opening on Sunday.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Gary Schneider ROC President

**** IMPORTANT UPDATE****

Rocstock Weather & Playa Conditions Advisory

Timing changes daily but current weather forecasts for the Lucerne Dry Lake area indicate a slight chance for scattered light precipitation Saturday and / or Sunday with Saturday afternoon currently presenting the highest risk.  The range will be open Friday morning until approximately 5pm, 8am to approximately 5pm Saturday and 8am until noon on Sunday.  Times may change based on conditions.

While conditions may remain favorable, even light rainfall for an extended period can degrade the lakebed surface, creating slick mud and potentially impassable conditions for vehicles.

Please be advised:

– All participants enter and drive onto the playa at their own risk

– Surface conditions can change quickly and may not be visibly apparent

– Vehicles may become stuck with little warning

– Rocketry Organization of California (ROC) is NOT responsible for vehicle recovery

We strongly recommend:

– Avoid driving on the lakebed if rain has occurred or surface conditions appear soft

– Walking the area before driving if conditions are uncertain

– Bringing recovery gear (tow straps, traction boards, etc.)

– Using caution, especially during and after any precipitation

We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.

Fly safe and be prepared.  Hope to see everyone on the playa.  

Gary Schneider 

ROC President 

Due to very wet conditions on the lakebed the January launch is CANCELLED. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and got some cool rockets from Santa to build and see you in February, fingers crossed!!

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Current lakebed conditions are good BUT there is a lot of standing water on the north side of the main road in. STAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD! We will have cones marking the path so just follow the cones and don’t cross over until the porta potties. Remember you are entering at your own risk and arriving at night is not recommend. If you try and go through standing water or ditches with water and get stuck we have no way to pull you out.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Currently the December 13th. launch and annual pizza lunch is GO! The lakebed is still damp in certain areas and there is water in some of the ditches and gullies but the road appears to be passable. We will be checking conditions again this week and will post updates if deemed necessary. NO UPDATES AFTER THIS POST MEANS LAUNCH IS ON AS SCHEDULED. As with the last couple launches just be careful driving in and watch for ditches to avoid by going around. We will try and have them marked with cones.

Range will open by 8am and continue until between 12noon and 1pm weather pending as always. 2026 membership cards will be available at registration for pickup.

ROC will also be hosting our Holiday Pizza Lunch on the lakebed at approximately 12:30pm as our way of saying Thank You to everyone for another successful year of rocket launches. Pizza and dessert will be provided. Please bring your own drinks.

Happy Holidays and looking forward to seeing everyone on the playa.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Just an update regarding the entrances to the lakebed.
When arriving at the lakebed please use caution just like last month. There are still some deep ruts along the more direct entrance on Granite Road. There is a large rut shortly after you turn onto the dirt entrance and another farther down at the intersection of Granite Road and Rock Road. We will try and have some markers placed to guide vehicles to go around the ruts to the left.
If you go to the original entrance on Cambria Road, it is very smooth and is a better option.
PLEASE BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN DRIVING IN. If not careful you could easily get stuck or damage your vehicle. You are accessing the lakebed at your own risk! If arriving after sunset, It is difficult to see the ruts going slowly in the daylight so it will be very hard to see them at night. Also, drive on the ‘south’ lane, (left side which would be the “exit” side) not the bigger ‘north’ (right lane) lane of Granite Road like usual when entering. Just drive slow, pay attention and you will be fine.

Setup will begin Thursday, launching to start Friday at approximately 9am – 4pm. Saturday approximately 8am-4pm with night flights scheduled 8pm-10pm and Sunday approximately 8am -12noon.

See everyone on the playa.

Gary Schneider
ROC President y