Introduction
This Appalachian Irishman prevailed over yet another hike, his 204th, on his beloved and nearby House Mountain State Natural Area. Last Saturday afternoon, from 1:10 to 3:33 PM, I reveled in two hours and 23 minutes in the woods. The temperature was in the 40s Fahrenheit, and the sky turned from mostly sunny to cloudy, an indication of the rain that started around 9 PM.
On the previous day, Friday, 11/28/2025, the crisp, clear, and sunny weather was better for hiking, despite the gusting wind. Instead of hiking, my wife and I attended the Cherokee Lady Chiefs' basketball game, 12:20 PM start time, at Grainger County High School. The youngest daughter of my youngest brother and his wife is on the team. The Lady Chiefs defeated South Greene, 64-32! We enjoyed the game and time with family.
Continuing now with this 82nd entry in the Hiking Topic Section, I will highlight memorable moments along the hike, answering the burning question, “Why were two young men carrying a fallen tree?” Afterward, for inquiring minds, I will answer the query, “What did I do after the hike?” All in all, it was a good “man day” for this 65-year-young feller!
Hiking Up and Down the East Trail
This section divides into the hike up the east trail, time at the upper-middle bluff, and the hike back down and out on the same east trail. Usually, I hike up the west trail, which is more challenging. For this hike, however, I wanted to “go east, young man, go east!”
Hiking Up: Two Young Men Carrying a Fallen Tree!
After making a parking spot for my 2006 Frontier, I started up the connector trail at 1:10 PM. Choosing east this time, I started trekking up, down, and around in the low-lying section of the trail. The east trail is one mile from the base to the ridge. The relatively easy lower section takes up about seven-tenths of that mile. The final three-tenths with the switchbacks are challenging.
Not too far along into my hike in, I paused to allow a group of about ten young folks in their 20s to pass on their way out. Amazed, I saw two young men carrying across their shoulders a six-to-eight-foot-long section of a fallen tree! Now, I have seen some bizarre things on House Mountain, such as young women hiking in the mud wearing flip-flops. I have seen snow form and fall within clouds on the ridge. Most interestingly, on a Resurrection Sunday (Easter) afternoon hike, I saw a young man hiking in a suit and tie. The encounter is memorialized in my 4/13/2009 entry. Before this hike, however, I had never seen anyone carrying out a fallen tree!
Of course, I had to ask, ”Why are you guys carrying out a section of fallen tree?” One of the young men, shifting his section of the tree slightly on his shoulder, replied, “It's a souvenir!” Yes, he was grinning!
Everyone needs a hobby. This website is a hobby of mine. I have a small collection of House Mountain rocks, souvenirs from my 100th hike (Tuesday, 12/31/2013, in a plaque), my 125th hike (Sunday afternoon, 10/18/2015), my 150th hike (Sunday afternoon, 4/29/2018), my 175th hike (Wednesday, 12/30/2020, article), and my 200th hike (Sunday afternoon, 3/23/2025, in the 3/26/2025 article). I have never thought about hauling out a section of a fallen tree as a keepsake! What's up with young people these days?
At the Upper-Middle Bluff
At the highest and very eroded upper switchback, never try getting around the rocky erosion by crawling up the steep and leaf-covered wooded area west of the switchback! I tried, failed, slid back down, and then climbed over the eroded switchback. That mistake took several minutes. Finally, I reached the ridgeline at 1:54 PM. A trail marker and bench are at the location.
Turning right or northeast, I relished the fairly level ridge trail that leads to the upper-middle bluff. The hike takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your speed. Before reaching the bluff, the mostly sunny sky became cloudy.
Once again, despite the clouds, I delighted in the view from that bluff. A minute before I started hiking back down and out on the same east trail, I photographed the following view looking northwest from the bluff:
A husband, wife, and their dog were just leaving when I arrived. I had the thoughtful solitude of the bluff to myself. Of course, the Lord was with me.
Hiking Down and Out
Well, the time was 2:25 PM, and I had plans for after the hike. So, I reversed course and hiked back down the same east trail.
Being overly cautious due to my surgically reconstructed right kneecap and right heel, I took my time descending the upper switchbacks. Once unencumbered from them, hiking along the remaining seven-tenths of a mile in the lower area was easy.
Interestingly, while still hiking carefully down the upper switchbacks, the same husband, wife, and dog, who were leaving the bluff when I arrived, were catching up to me from behind. I let them pass, explaining my carefulness and my “bionic” joints. Once in the lower area, however, they paused, and I caught up to them. Conversing briefly as I passed, I continued on at a normally quick pace. The couple and their dog never did catch back up to me.
I touched the trail marker near the picnic shelter at 3:33 PM, marking the end of my hike. Two hours and 23 minutes in the woods was better than not having been there!
What Did I Do After the Hike?
Once back at my truck, I called the “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman to let her know that I was on my way to her father's house. She had my brush and branch cutting tools in our 2012 Sentra. I was ready to do some cutting up, no kidding!
My wife's two sisters did not want to cut up with me, but my wife did. A wooden bridge crosses the creek at the back of the property. Years ago, my father-in-law and I built that bridge. Several scrub trees, vines, and branches from larger trees needed to be cleared.
My wife and I started trimming and cutting just after the collegiate football game in Knoxville between the Tennessee Vols and Vanderbilt Commodores had started. Well, my wife picked up and piled the trimmings and cuttings. I was the only one who was cutting up, again, no kidding!
After finishing up and saying goodbye, we returned home in separate vehicles. The aforementioned football game was at halftime by then. The score was tied, 14 to 14.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the Vols went down in an embarrassing defeat on their home field. The final score was Commodores 45, Vols 24. As I said to my wife after the game, “Sometimes, birds do fly backwards north for the winter.” Years ago, when birds always flew south for the winter, the Vols could easily beat Vanderbilt. It seems that the tables have turned.
All in all, the hike plus clearing brush for my father-in-law was a good “man day.” Hey, I am still a 65-year-young feller!
