Spring Hike Scheduled at House Mountain State Natural Area

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Areas will host a guided hike at House Mountain State Natural Area in Knox County on Saturday, March 17, 2007. Participants should meet at the trailhead at 9:00 a.m.

Stewardship Ecologist Lisa Huff will take hikers to the top of House Mountain on the West End Overlook Trail and back down on the Mountain Trail for a total distance of about three-and-a-half miles. The first part of the hike is steep, but has many switchbacks and there will be time to rest along the way. From the top of House Mountain on a clear day, hikers can see Knoxville, and the Cumberland and Smoky Mountains. The entire hike should take two-and-a-half to three hours.

Participants should bring water, snacks, and appropriate footwear and should dress in layers. The hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Reservations are required for the guided hike and can be made by contacting Lisa Huff by phone at (865) 594-5601 or by email at lisa.huff@state.tn.us. Please make reservations by March 14, 2007.

House Mountain is an 850-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 50 miles away, or look northeast at the adjacent Clinch Mountain. For additional information about House Mountain State Natural Area and directions, please visit the Web site at: www.tdec.net/na/natareas/housemtn/.

The hike at House Mountain is part of a series of monthly, guided field trips to Tennessee State Natural Areas offered by the department’s Division of Natural Areas. Tennessee has 75 designated State Natural Areas throughout the state covering approximately 108,000 acres of ecologically significant lands. More information about Tennessee’s natural areas program, including a complete list of all natural areas and scheduled field trips, can be found at: www.tdec.net/na/.

For more information contact:

Tisha Calabrese-Benton
Office (865) 594-5442