A morning on House Mountain with the Envirocapitalist.



House Mountain is a 500-acre natural area located in Knox County approximately eight miles from Knoxville. It is cooperatively managed under a lease agreement with the State by the Knox County Department of Parks and Recreation. The 2,100-foot crest of House Mountain provides significant vistas where visitors may scan the parallel ranges of the Unakas and Cumberlands some 30 miles away, or look northeast at the adjacent Clinch Mountain.  It is rugged and scenic and very representative of the region.  I love taking my son there because we can get the feel of back country with out the long drive.

Parking area at trail head as we left

Big Ry and I left the parking area at daylight since it was going to be a hot July day.  We had the parking area to ourselves. It is fairly nice even though there is no running water or electricity. The bathroom is really just a pit privy but is well ventilated and didn't stink as bad as most public restrooms.

Signs were made by a local Boy Scout.

A short walk from the parking area led us to the trail head junction. Both of these trails lead to the 3 mile long crest trail which  have scenic overlooks at both ends and one in the middle. We did all the trails today making it about five total miles.

Rocky outcrops on the southern slope

The trails leave the bottom and pick there way through extremely rocky and beautiful slopes until they reach the crest trail.  The rock formations are great to climb on and explore or just sit on to take a break.

Big Ry having lunch at West Overlook

After reaching the top we made haste out the much easier and flatter crest trail  to the East overlook and bushwhacked out to a third vista (my favorite) which is often used for illegal camping (no one allowed up here after dark).  We moved on to the west overlook and had lunch (snack). Which consisted of a granola bar, gummies and a fruit juice pouch, you now real adventure food.  After packing up we set out to finish the hike.

Big Ry leading the way

Steep and rugged

Falling rocks always a danger

Sliding our way down we dodged a few rocks that let go of the steep slopes. We also past the first hiker's of the day. they were heading up. I can't imagine why someone would wait till noon to start this strenuous hike with temperatures predicted to hit the 90's. I was starting to really pour sweet and me and Big Ry were going downhill at this point.


Forty feet below our lunch time perch





We made our way out of our little wilderness no worse for wear but with our appetite for adventure whetted.  We agreed that we should do this more often and I thanked God for his creation and my son.   Please take a kid out of doors. It teaches them lessons and toughens them. I fear we may be raising a generation not able to overcome uncomfortable situations and deal with true adversity, Your pal the Envirocapitalist

alone in the woods

I have spent many nights home alone, At least technically alone. When you are home alone you have a T.V. which talks at you, a telephone you can use anytime you wish, and the realization of all the neighbors in shouting distance. I have also spent many a night alone in the woods, really alone. I enjoy hiking but most dedicated hiker's would call me a slackpacker. I rarely hike for more than a few days at a time. Mostly I day hike, hunters like myself call it scouting however I prefer to call it exploring. On the occasions in my life when I actually had a free weekend outside of hunting season I enjoy taking to a trail for a overnighter. I enjoy solitude and you will never be more alone than sleeping in a tent 12 miles into the backcountry. It is dark, really dark. and there are no human sounds at all, no one to turn to. You do everything yourself. If you get hurt it is up to you to get yourself out of the situation. It is the definition of self reliance. I think that is really why some people are scared to sleep in the woods alone. The extra sensation and heightened awareness makes me feel alive. You should try it sometime, see what your made of. Walk till you are tired, make camp, feed yourself and sleep alone.... if you can.

A top ten list for my 50th post

Top Ten Hiking destinations in Tennessee according to THE ENVIROCAPITALIST.

1. The Big South Fork NWR.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park *
3. The Cumberland Trail (smokey mountain segment)
4. Appalacian Trail (south east Tennessee)
5. Savage Gulf
6. Cumberland Trail (ozone falls area)
7. Fall Creek Falls State Park
8. Norris Dam State Park
9. Big Ridge State Park
10. Frozen Head State Park.
    * I included the very crowded and commercial GSMNP even though I avoid it for the most part because of its legendary status.

Geat Hikes series #1 ( The Twin Arches Loop)

Great trail for the whole family with a few steep staircases to climb to start the trail. The Twin Arches trail is well maintained and marked with red leaf blazes. Take your time and view the huge rock formations along the way some are very interesting. Once at the Twin Arches there are more sturdy staircases that will lead to a trail on top of the Arches with views that can be safely enjoyed at an elevation of 1730'. The South Arch has a clearance of 103' and a span of 135' and the North is slightly smaller at 62' clearance and a span of 93'. Although horses and bikers are not allowed on this trail they are permitted on various trails throughout the Big South Fork. Here is a topo of the loop. About six miles if you do the whole loop, less if you take the short trail to the arches and retrace your steps. Plan to spend all day the views are worth it.

Trailhead: From Oneida TN. Take 297 West turn left on Leatherwood Ford Rd. Travel 19 miles to 154 North turn right. Travel 1.9 miles turn right on gravel road Divide Road. Travel 3.9 miles turn right on Twin Arches Road. Parking area 2 miles ahead. Please view bulletin board for information of area. (Lat:36.54074 Lon:-84.73614)

For your prospective the sign at the bottom of the photo is as tall as a man. It is a breath taking sight. the largest natural arches I've ever seen.

A Day at the Gap

Even though I usually steer clear of the tourist trap hiking trails, I must admit that when it comes to easy walking for the family, you don't get much better than the Cumberland Gap. I took a day to take the family up to the pinnacle then to the iron forge two very easy trails but with rewarding views and destinations. Here are some photos

Noah Ogle nature trail

I despise driving through Pigeon Forge on the weekend so me and the family slipped in the back way through Cosby. We crossed Greene mountain on the parkway which had been recently burned over. we saw some wonderful vistas but we didn't stay long just long enough to take a few pictures. I chose the Noah Ogle Nature Trail due to the fact that it is a short (3/4 mile) loop that is pretty much level, My daughter is only 3 years old. The Trail started at the Ogle cabin which you can walk into if you want. The kids liked it alot since the doorways were little and the ceilings were low like it was built for them. The trail from the cabin is level but incredibly Rocky (easy to turn an ankle or trip). The scenery is nice with some older hardwood trees and rock wall formations along the way. The trail is marked with numbers which corresponds with a brochure you can buy at the trail head. It is very interesting but not very informative. At about the half way mark around the loop we encountered what I consider the best part. A small gristmill on a creek with several small falls nearby. the sound of rushing water rushing over boulders is very soothing to me. Just loud to the kids though. It was a really fun little family hike easy enough for everyone but still interesting. I recommend it to anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck in the over crowded mess known as Gatlinburg.

RGD #4

Good news for hikers

It seems to be set in stone now that the Cumberland Trail (a 250 mile proposed trail from Cumberland Gap to the Chattanooga Area) will be completed. This is good news for hikers who are tired of the crowds in the GSM national park. There is already several miles of this trail open and I can't wait to find time to hike the 17.3 mile smoky mountain section that is already complete. I am sure the vistas of the Powell valley will be breathtaking and the human footprints of settlement and mining will still be evident and interesting. I think the combination of the Appalacian trail and the Cumberland trail will make Tennessee a hikers destination.

Litter Bug

Today I went to Big Ridge State Park for a short hike. I am trying to hike every trail in driving distance. With my schedule it is a challenge and enjoyable. If I only have a couple of hours like today I find a short trail. Today it was the three tenths of a mile "ole mill trail". The trail leaves from some lakeside cabins and meanders along Big Ridge Lake to Lyon's Spring Branch. The small stream used to power a small grist mill which is where the trail ends. It was a nice walk, peaceful this time of year and I was able to see two deer up close in the field next to the grist mill. But there is a catch, along the trail at a popular fishing area I found litter. Beer cans, empty fast food bags, ect, it makes me sick. The lack of respect people have for the outdoors is amazing. Maybe one day people will value the outdoors as much as they do Ipods.