A method is provided in one example and includes evaluating multiple paths in a network in order to execute a reverse path forwarding decision for multicast traffic associated with a source. The method may also include selecting a second network path based on a first network path previously been designated as a route for the multicast traffic associated with the source. The first network path and a second network path differ by at least one network element. The method further includes receiving at least one of a first data stream and a second data stream, wherein the first data stream is associated with the first network path and the second data stream is associated with the second network path.