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Cherokee Bluffs

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Climbing Sections:

About Cherokee Bluffs:

Cherokee Bluff

Cherokee Bluff is an urban climbing area that thanks to the efforts of a few local climbers is a great place to go get an afternoon workout if you are avoiding the scene in the gyms. While mostly sport, there are a couple of trad lines here. The most notable being the easy Die Capitalist Dog Crack (5.7) Because of the pollished nature of southern limestone the sport routes tend to be in higher grades. If you posess some powerful crimp strength however, nothing here should be beyond your grasp.

The parking area in the dead end is known for occationally being the meeting place for ANONYMOUS HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY. Dont believe me? Check WWW.SECLIMBERS.COM. It is so bad, that it's causing access issues. DONT CAMP HERE!

While Cherokee's location near the city has an attraction to begining climbers, it must be stressed that Cherokee is not a beginers area. It is difficult, if not impossible, to set up topropes here without rapelling the face from the top, and setting anchors. Also, the majority of the climbs are belayed from a big enough for comfort ledge that ends with a 60 foot drop to the Tennessee river. Be safe, as a serious injury will surely close this area.

Nearest town or city: Downtown Knoxville
Directions: 129 South (Alcoa Highway)out of Knoxville toward the airport. After the Marine Reserve Center(on right),turn right on Monte lake Rd. Take first right on Craghead, you'll come to a fork, bear left. This will come to a deadend. Follow path on right, it takes about five minutes to get to first wall.
Latitude, Longitude:
Access Issues: Unfortunately, Cherokee Bluffs is now closed. All access is restricted by landowner as of July 2009. Sad Day for Knoxville
Camping: None
When to Climb:
Quantity of Climbs: Day

Forum Discussions (3 posts)

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
With Replies Is Cherokee Bluffs still closed? cbarnes 2 Mar 28 2012, 3:28 AM
No Replies Cherokee Bluffs Closure smokieshiker 0 Jul 30 2009, 3:59 PM
With Replies The Big Spill--Cherokee Bluff dirko 1 Jan 10 2003, 8:56 PM