Updated: 12.26.25
Often set up perfectly by the northern valley breeze, Poverty is primarily a winter site and offers a ridge soaring opportunity amongst the abundance of thermal soaring sites in Central Utah. In northern winds, the South end of the valley has a venturi effect that can produce great soaring conditions, but can quickly become too strong to fly.
Beware of soaring in high winds. The obvious hill out front has been known to produce serious rotor. It is also wise to land 15-30 mins before sunset as katabatic flow off Monroe has been known to produce rotor. Do not attempt to fly towards the hill out front unless you are at least 500ft above the ridge. Also be aware of blow-back in higher winds…launch is located on top of a hill and strong kiting skills may be necessary.
Please note that the area can get extremely turbulent mid-day during the months from March-October. Multiple accidents have happened in the past while pilots were flying in these conditions. The combination of turbulence and low altitude flying can be a recipe for disaster. Locals mainly fly this site from November through February.
Winter months can be great at Poverty allowing for soaring all day with gentle thermals imbedded into ridge lift. Please make sure to sort your lines and walk to launch with your wing balled up so avoid being plucked in high winds.
High altitude general flying information can be found HERE.
Quick Info
- General Site Guidelines HERE
- Not recommended to fly during thermic hours from March to October
- High altitude launch at 6900 ft
- H2/P2/M1 rating required
- Skills needed but not limited to high wind launching, high wind kiting, no wind launching, active piloting in turbulence, high altitude launching, high altitude landing, descent techniques, thermalling, and ridge soaring
- Wind Direction: Ideal 330-30, OK 315-45
- Wind Speed: H2 Min 6, Ideal 12, Max 20, gusts to 5 P2 Min 0, Ideal 6, Max 12, gusts to 5 M1 Min 3, Ideal 10, Max 15, gusts to 3
- Min Glide Ratio 2.6
- Membership in USHPA and CUASA. CUASA membership form HERE
Launch
Typically 2WD accessible in dry conditions, but high clearance is necessary. Please park away from the launch area, giving enough clearance that a pilot being blown backwards won’t hit a vehicle.
With a low-clearance vehicle, pilots can drive and park at the LZ and hike the 600 feet up to launch.
Gravel areas with less snag hazards allow space for a couple gliders at a time to lay out. Keep enough space between gliders to allow some high wind kiting and make sure lines are clear before pulling the wing up. The rocks and snags are sharp and have been known to snap lines.
Flying
Be prepared with a strong stance to reverse kite your wing in high winds to avoid being plucked on launch. Once in the air, pilot should take care to follow ridge rules and always look for other pilot before trying to thermal in an embedded thermal. Pilots should be aware not to drift in a light thermal far back behind launch as the valley venturi only increases, and penetration back towards clean airflow could become a hazard.
Pilots can enjoy flying east and west along the land bridge that makes up the south end of the Sevier Valley. In winter months, the air is usually very smooth, and pilots can ridge soar against the terrain. For the rest of the year, flying close to terrain is strongly discouraged due to the likely possibility of extreme turbulence. Locals mainly fly this site in the winter or in the very late evening after thermic activity has died.
Landing Zone
The main landing zone is a farmer’s field with “No Trespassing” signs, but pilots have permission to land there. Please do a walkthrough before flying. Note the fence lines and possible sprinklers.
An optional LZ can be found at:
38.52575267388416, -112.16809836501974.
