House Mountain (elev ~ 2000 feet) is the highest point in
Knox County, where I live. It is about 20 miles from my home and about 1000
feet higher in elevation, so it presents a relatively accessible human powered
adventure that I am planning to use as a regular workout and field test for
gear.
The basic route is a 16.7 mile road ride from Market Square
(Knoxville, TN) to the trailhead and a 4 mile trail run (about 1100 feet of
cumulative elevation gain) to traverse the entire crest of the mountain. There are three peaks (the actual high point where there was once a fire
lookout tower and two sub-peaks on either side). The actual high point has to
be reached by a short spur off of the Crest Trail.
I left Market Square (the official unofficial starting and ending point for human powered adventures from Knoxville) on my bike at about 9:42am. I rode the gritty bike lane of East Magnolia to Chilhowee to Rutledge Pike. These are not the most scenic choices, but the bike lanes are wide and Rutledge Pike has a rumble strip to help protect me from traffic.
 |
| The East Magnolia bike lane ... one of the best in town |
It took me just over an hour to reach the trailhead. I pedaled conservatively, especially on the hills, snacked on an oatmeal raisin cookie from Tomatohead, and drank a full bottle of water.
I locked my bike, changed shoes, grabbed my second water bottle, and hit the trail at about 10:58am.
I ran a clockwise loop ascending the West Overlook
Trail, traversing the Crest Trail (with a detour to the main peak) to the East
Overlook, and backtracking part of the Crest Trail to descend the Mountain
Trail. The Mountain trail is a little more gradual and less dangerous than the
West Overlook Trail: I chose the direction with the more difficult ascent and
safer descent.
 |
| Typical section of trail |
 |
| East Overlook |
The run was fun and scenic. I felt strong even though I was starting to feel the heat of the day settle in. I made the four mile run in good time and without mishaps.
I wolfed another Tomatohead cookie, refilled my bike bottles from the large stainless steel bottle in my pannier, and rode back toward Rutledge Pike. My return ride was a bit faster, owing in part to the downhill trend and in part to the fact that I was no longer worried about conserving energy.
Equipment:
Bike (Bianchi Axis with rack and one pannier)
Shoes (Pearl Izumi with SPD clips and Salomon Fellraiser with Sole Armour insoles)
Socks (Swiftwick - an East Tennessee company!)
Triathlon shorts (gotta be able to bike and run without chaffage!)
Helmet and shades (safety!)
Red blinky light on the seatpost (more safety)
Gloves
Bike lock (and key!)
Basic bike tools, CO2, two spare tubes
3L water
Food (cookies were an unusual treat)
iPhone in a plastic baggie
ID and spare cash in a plastic baggie
