| Chilhowee Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Foothills Parkway approaching Look Rock, on the crest of Chilhowee Mountain | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,843 ft (867 m) |
| Coordinates | 35°43′50″N83°49′12″W / 35.73047°N 83.81993°W /35.73047; -83.81993 |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Blount County,Tennessee, U.S. |
| Parent range | Great Smoky Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Kinzel Springs (TN) |
Chilhowee Mountain is the name of two non-contiguousridges in theU.S. state ofTennessee. The ridges run in a northeastern to southwestern direction. The northern section is at the outer edge of theGreat Smoky Mountains, stretching from theLittle Pigeon River watershed at the northeast to theLittle Tennessee River andChilhowee Dam to the southwest. The southern section runs fromTellico Plains to theOcoee River inPolk County. The northern section is traversed by theFoothills Parkway fromWalland to its terminus nearChilhowee.
While the northern ridge is 35 miles (56 km) long, it rarely reaches a width of more than 3 miles (4.8 km) or 4 miles (6.4 km).Little River cuts alarge gap in the middle of the mountain (nearWalland), dividing it into northeastern and southwestern sections. The highest point on the southwestern section is 2,650 ft (808 m) at a knob known asLook Rock. The highest point on the northeastern section, known asThe Three Sisters, rises to 2,843 ft (867 m), and is visible from nearbyMaryville, Tennessee.
The southern ridge is about 15 miles (24 km) long and sits entirely within theCherokee National Forest. TheOcoee River passes along its southwestern base, along with theOcoee Scenic Byway, part ofU.S. Route 64. The mountain is separated fromOswald Dome to the north by asaddle, although both are technically part of the same ridge. The highest point on this section is 2,618 feet (798 m).[1] The mountain is accessible from US 64 via a paved forest service road, which contains multiple overlooks. A campground with an artificial lake, operated by the Forest Service, is located atop the mountain. Benton Falls is awaterfall on the eastern escarpment of the mountain and is accessible via a trail that begins at the campground.
Chilhowee Mountain derives its name fromChilhowee, aCherokee village in the 18th century. The etymology of the Cherokee name is unclear,[2] and may be derived from theMuscogean name Chalahume, an earlierCreek name for the village. In English it has also been written "Chilhoe".