There used to be two trails to choose from if you wanted to hike China Knows Mountain. But due to a 2900 hectare fire that occurred in August 2014, the Chute trail has since been closed.
According to the Houston Hiker’s Society, China Knows (also known as China Nose) is located 27.5 kilometres from Houston.
Access to the main trail can be done by car, but a vehicle with higher clearance would be safer. At nine kilometres there is a deep rut in the road filled with some lumber to help crossing. But if you are in a low car, make sure to watch your bumper.
The main trail is 2.9 kilometres long, and rated as a moderate climb. For most of the hike there isn’t much cellphone coverage until you reach the summit. Then you access your data to send Snapchat photos to your friends of the mountain you just conquered.
Since the fire, visibility of the trail is as far as the eye can see as you look through burnt stumps and fireweed. The wind howls eerily through the dead standing trees, but you won’t have to worry about bears because there is hardly any vegetation for other animals.
Some loose gravel and steep areas will require you to have shoes with good grip. Or if possible, find a large sized Gandalf stick for you to ascend the mountain with. It will be a valuable aid as you descend the steep slopes on your way home.
On a hot summer’s day a couple of litres of water is necessary. Wear appropriate clothing, and if you find pack a hat, hang on to it once you reach the clearing to the end of the hike. Otherwise you’ll watch it sail away on the back of the colours of the wind.
There are three significant points when you get to the top of China Knows. The first is easy to access. Just climb to the top and take a wicked selfie of your accomplishment.
The second point requires you to hop, skip, and jump over a crevice. There are boulders to aid the pass, but don’t look down if you are queasy about claustrophobic areas and high heights.
The third point has a large gap that separates it from the second point with its closest access being at the edge of the two cliffs.
There are no boulders to jump onto this rock platform, and loose gravel cascades its decent into what looks like a scene from 127 Hours. If you are not familiar with the movie, the film is based on a true story about a rock climber that gets stuck between two rock formations and has to sever his arm to free himself.
Before you embark on your China Knows adventure, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back so they know when to send out the Houston Search and Rescue team.