CORRYTON, Tenn. – Officials in East Tennessee are working to replace a path to the highest mountain peak in Knox County.
Earlier this month, a new path to the top of House Mountain was flagged by Doug Bataille, director of Knox County Parks and Recreation, and Jim Richards, general manager of Knoxville’s Mast General Store. Their goal was to flag a route that would lead to the east end overlook with a minimum of switchbacks, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.
“A month ago, we looked at the possibility of barricading the Mountain Trail, but decided it was too destabilized,” Bataille said. “It has reached the point of irreparable damage.”
The two hiked cross-country, tracing a preliminary route at the east end of the mountain. The plan is to have the new trail gradually wind its way up the mountain. However, rock outcroppings and steep terrain will make the project challenging.
“This is the most difficult side of the mountain to put a trail on,” Richards said.