^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: BONUS - Dicks Knob (4620’) ^^

The North Georgia mountains may not be the Himalayas or the Rockies, but do offer many opportunties for challenging and exciting hikes to outstanding scenic views.  For this series, we are summiting the 20 highest peaks in Georgia.  (For more info on the criteria used, click here.)

Standing 4,620' above sea level with 200' of prominence, Dick's Knob is Georgia's "other" 3rd highest peak.  "Other" because we are using a 300 ft prominence rule in the series this year, and Dick's Knob has only 200 ft of prominence - otherwise it would be number 3.  However, since this is one of the very highest peaks in the state, we thought we would include it as a bonus peak.

The route to Dick's Knob will start from the Tate Branch Campground on the Tallulah River Rd (also called Tate City Rd).  There are no trails that go to Dick's Knob, so this hike will involve an extensive amount of "off-trail" hiking - that is, hiking in its most pure form.  We will get there by means of some very steep hills, ridgelines, old logging roads, animal trails, and possibly a few worn paths.  I expect the distance of the hike to be from 8 to 9 miles in length, and approximately 2,600+ feet of ascent.  The initial portion of the hike will gain approximately 900 feet of elevation in just over a half mile; that's about one and a half times the height of Stone Mountain, in only half the distance of the walkup trail, if that helps to put things in perspective.

Note: this is an explorer event.  Your trip leaders have not completed this hike, but will have all the necessary tools and expertise to find our way to Dick's Knob, and find our way back.  What we encounter along the way is a bit of an unknown, which is what makes this type of event FUN.  If you're into going places where not many have been and taking routes that haven't been taken, then this hike will be 'up your alley'.  If you don't enjoy some unknowns, then you shouldn't sign up.

We will meet to begin the event at the entrance to the Tate Campround, which is the second campground after the Tallulah River Rd becomes gravel.  Coordinates of the campground entrance are:  N 34 57.326' W 83 33.159'

The carpool coordinator will have detailed directions to the event.  If you would like a map with directions ahead of time, you can paste the above coordinates into Google Maps.