Don't worry about route numbers. They will just confuse you.
Turn immediately south from I-81 exit 35. Follow the major two lane White Top Road 11 miles until you cross a small bridge and come to an intersection. Look for a sign that says "White Top Road" and "Elk Garden" on the left. Turn left. Continue up the major two lane white top road another 5 miles to the trail head.
When I was there a while back, there was still no sign on the summit. That "big boulder" is very obvious, though, and there is at least one USGS survey marker on it letting you know you're at the summit. Definitely easy to overlook that you're at the top though since it's heavily forested.
You should change the name of this route to ""Elk Garden" to make it more obvious which route this is. Right now, the route name is "4.5 mile Appalachian Trail route" Most people won't know which route that is... The USFS calls it the Elk Garden trailhead and that's how most people refer to it.
Bark Eater - Sep 19, 2011 2:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Better directions to THDon't worry about route numbers. They will just confuse you.
Turn immediately south from I-81 exit 35. Follow the major two lane White Top Road 11 miles until you cross a small bridge and come to an intersection. Look for a sign that says "White Top Road" and "Elk Garden" on the left. Turn left. Continue up the major two lane white top road another 5 miles to the trail head.
jrlang45 - Jan 23, 2018 10:55 am - Hasn't voted
SummitWhen I was there a while back, there was still no sign on the summit. That "big boulder" is very obvious, though, and there is at least one USGS survey marker on it letting you know you're at the summit. Definitely easy to overlook that you're at the top though since it's heavily forested.
Alpinist - Apr 22, 2024 5:49 am - Voted 7/10
Route name: Elk GardenYou should change the name of this route to ""Elk Garden" to make it more obvious which route this is. Right now, the route name is "4.5 mile Appalachian Trail route" Most people won't know which route that is... The USFS calls it the Elk Garden trailhead and that's how most people refer to it.
hgrapid - Apr 22, 2024 10:53 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Route name: Elk GardenThanks!