Editing House Mountain State Natural Area

{{Park
|Banner Image=File:House Mtn1.JPG
|Park Type=State Natural Area
|Park Website=https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-east-region/east-region-/na-na-house-mountain.html
|Trail Map Link=https://knoxcounty.org/parks/pdfs/hiking.pdf
|Entrance Fee Type=None
|Activities=Hiking, Geocaching
|Features=Vistas
|Park Amenities=Picnicking
|City=Knoxville
|Area=500 acres
|Operated By=Knox County Department of Parks and Recreation
|Main Location=36.10475, -83.76275
}}
{{Park trail map}}

__TOC__
== Trail Overview ==
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House Mountain is a two mile long sandstone spine north of Knoxville. Trail heads up to the 2,100' highpoint of Knox County for overlooks to the Cumberland Mountains and Smokies.

== How to get there ==
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From Kingsport, TN
#South on I-26.
#West on I-40 to Exit 392 for US 11W (Rutledge Pike). 
#North along Rutledge Pike for about 10 miles.
#Just after the brown House Mountain information sign, turn left onto Idumea Road for 0.6 mile.
#Take another left onto Hogskin Road. 
#Parking is on the right at new lot with covered picnic area and pit toilets.

Alternatively, take US 11W past Rogersville, Bean Station, and Rutledge to turn onto Idumea Road.

== Park Trails ==
The park offers the following trails to explore:
{{Park trail table|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}

Typical loop hike would be to take Mountain Trail up to Crest Trail out to the NE overlook to see the Cumberland Mountains, back along Crest Trail to the SW overlook for the Smokies and parts of Knoxville, and finally down West Overlook (former Turkey) Trail to the parking lot.  The reverse direction can also be taken.  Some of the trails are very close to the nature preserve boundary, thus a private ATV path might be seen lower on the mountain.

== Typical Conditions ==
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The access trails (West Overlook and Mountain) are steep, rocky/rooted, and badly eroded in places.  The lower third of the Mountain trail renovated almost a decade ago, thus decent path passing some large boulders.  However, further up the climb is very strenuous.  The Crest trail follows mostly a jeep road, but also has spur routes onto private property. The overlooks have no railing, thus steep dropoffs.  Can be crowded on peak fall weekends.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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No permit or fee.  The nature area closes at dusk.  

== Misc. Information ==
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A nice gallery of photographs from a hike has been posted by [http://www.easttennesseewildflowers.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=House-Mountain Kris Light].
<br>The official TN.gov House Mountain [http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/housemtn/ webpage] including [http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/housemtn/housemtn.pdf map].

==Gallery==
{{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Right Sawmill Loop
|Trail Distance=0.4 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=White
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Left Sawmill Loop
|Trail Distance=0.3 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=White
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Mountain Trail
|Trail Distance=1.0 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Blue
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Crest Trail
|Trail Distance=1.5 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Red
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=West Overlook Trail
|Trail Distance=0.8 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=White
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Picnic spot
|Marker Title=Covered picnic area
|Marker Description=[[Image:House Mtn2.JPG|150px]]
|Marker Location=36.1047, -83.76299
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Overflow parking
|Marker Location=36.106,-83.7589
}}
{{Map Marker}}