Crawling Up...			...China Nose
			by Debi Osborne

Any way you spell it, the mountain's name is China Nose. Some give it the name, saying the rocky protrusion is shaped like a China man's nose. Others insist it was named because evidence shows Chinese prospectors were in the Houston area in the early 1900's. As rumor will have it, gold was found in a mountain east of Houston. When asked which one, the reply was only "China Knows."

China Nose looms in the background All Photos courtesy of Joe Amaral

Whichever way you spell it, it remains a significant landmark only 20 minutes (20 km) east of Houston. If the weather is right and you've prepared for a half-day hike, this is definitely the place to spend some quality time. Accessible even by car, the start of the trail is well marked, the climb intermediate and the outcome well worth the effort.

The scenic East side

Travelling east on Highway 16 from Houston, turn right onto McKilligan road (also marked for the Landfill site). Follow the road which swings left at the first "Y", then goes past the Landfill Site. This is a Forest Service road so best travel on the weekend to avoid logging trucks. Keep left when you are opposite China Nose, which will loom above you to your left. After you cross a small bridge you will see a wide clearing on the right. This is a great place to park your vehicle. Hopefully you thought to pack some water, a light snack, hiking gear (i.e. matches, band aids, pocket knife, etc. always recommended on hikes) and your camera and binoculars.