Tate Branch Trail

First I would say this hike would be best done from the month of November to late March. Leave Tate Branch Campground hike north for about a 0.25 miles. Look for an old forest service road on the right there will be large burms to prevent folks from driving on the old road. Follow this for about 2.5 miles it is in various forms of deterioration, was continuous to the saddle above the Tate Branch drainage where we found the end of the closed 4WD FS Rd. Bushwacking now starts. We began following a herd path with very occasional pink ribbons. We were able to follow the path the whole way but could see that if the low brush were in leaf it might be easy to lose. There were a few spots where the canes scratched but not as bad as others. Passed over Steeltrap Knob and hardly any drop before a somewhat steep ascent to Dicks Knob. The peak was obvious but nondescript. Nowhere to sit comfortable so we descended to the saddle to have lunch. Total was 7.2 miles and over 2700 feet gross ascent.