slopeflyer.com

Tennesse Slope Soaring

The site we use is 6 miles off Interstate I-75 between Lake City and Lafollette TN. In fact I-75 passes at the foot of the mountain. Called Cross Mountain by the USGS, it has three usable slopes. The smallest is the north slope, which is usable but the air is disturbed by a nearby point. The north slope pretty much requires a true north wind for good flying. The east slope is better and larger, overlooking a grand valley. From the east slope any wind close to east is good. The best and largest is the west slope, very big and bowl shaped. Any west wind, especially SW, works well. The uncluttered terrain of the west slope makes it the combat flyer’s choice! All the slopes have acres of good overgrowth-covered LZ’s. Below are the directions used by most everyone, although there is a 4WD-only route from Lake City. The exit is 30 miles north of Knoxville TN. Generally, going up you need to stay left, and down stay right.

The east slope, with it’s nearby tree line.

On Interstate I-75, use exit 134. From the south turn left at the end of the ramp then left again at Shoney’s restaurant; from the north go straight past Shoney’s. Just past Caryville Surplus Sales you will bear left and cross the RR, that will be Mountain Road. Approximately 1.7 miles from Shoney’s the pavement ends at Ivy Grove Church, go straight onto the gravel road. Start counting switchbacks! Keep going through 6 tight switchbacks; at 1.7 miles from the church you will see a cell phone tower on your right. Go 4/10 mile and one more switchback, then turn left onto a one-lane dirt logging road. This is the worst part, but not really bad! To help you, with a brief exception a power line runs all the way to the slopes, just follow and stay on the well-travelled road. Go 2.2 miles and you will see the north facing slope site, and the west and east sites along with the north slope access are just beyond there. Be sure to follow the same way back down that you did going up! There are no facilities of any kind on top of the mountain.

SUV’s can handle the roads easily, passenger cars may strike bottom if you are not very careful. Go slow and keep your lights on as many ATVs use the area for recreation and dust is a real problem for visibility! During the week logging trucks may be operating so be prepared to yield or back up. Also do not attempt the trip if your vehicle is mechanically unsound as a tow truck may not come to get you, or will charge you extra. This route is steep at intervals but will not overheat your vehicle if it’s in good condition.

Larry Blevins flies his mini-P40 inverted over the north slope.

The main contact for this site is Larry Blevins, who lives at the bottom of the 4WD route in Lake City, and is the owner of Magnum Models. Larry has been flying this site for years, and is an able guide. He can be reached in the evenings at 1-865-426-4826. Weekend flying is informal, with a promising weather report we contact each other and meet at Larry’s home or at the top of the mountain.

Here is the north slope as seen from the access road.
The bowl shaped west slope, as seen from the north end.

8 thoughts on “Tennesse Slope Soaring

  1. looking for new slope sights…now realizing how spoiled I was in So.Cal. Coastal….slope sites. I’m now living in ATL.,GA……thanks for info.(cali is so garded on it’s flying sites-gotta know someone or have money)…8)8)

  2. I have been thermal soaring for two years now but I want to try slope soaring. I live in SW Virginia where the mountains are plentiful. The problem is that I have never flown from a slope before. Is this sight a club sight, private or public land? I can’t find anyone around here that slopes or even flies gliders even though I know a lot of people that flies nitro and electrics. I would like to go to this sight and try it out but I would like to have help. My e-mail is matt_fields1@hotmail.com.

  3. Hi all,

    Just moved to Dickson (Sylvia), TN, about an hour West of Nashville. Looking for some soaring buddies, either Thermal or Slope. I’ve got a 4m and 3m and combat wing for Slope, and an OLY II for thermalling. I’ve flown a little thermal out at my dad’s place in Cumberland Furnace, but haven’t run across any good looking slopes yet. I know there’s gotta be something out here!

    Drop me a line at spooledone at. Yahoo. Dot com if you have any ideas or want to connect.

    Bob
    Formerly from San Jose, CA

  4. Hi all,

    Just moved to Dickson (Sylvia), TN, about an hour West of Nashville. Looking for some soaring buddies, either Thermal or Slope. I’ve got a 4m and 3m and combat wing for Slope, and an OLY II for thermalling. I’ve flown a little thermal out at my dad’s place in Cumberland Furnace, but haven’t run across any good looking slopes yet. I know there’s gotta be something out here!

    Drop me a line at spooledone at. Yahoo. Dot com if you have any ideas or want to connect.

    Bob
    Formerly from San Jose, CA

  5. Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll To Top
Skip to toolbar