Outside of Elkmont, on Little River Road near Fighting Creek Gap, Sugarland Mountain Trail begins across the road from Laurel Creek Falls Trail. Going a total of 12 miles, Sugarland Mountain Trail climbs up to the Appalachian Trail. Huskey Gap Trail intersects the trail 3.1 miles in, and Rough Creek Trail comes in from the right 4.1 miles later.
After this, the trail winds 3.8 miles up-mountain to Mount Collins Shelter. From here, it is 1 mile to the Appalachian Trail, near Clingmans Dome Road. Appalachian Trail through-hikers use the tail-end portion of this trail to get to Mount Collins Shelter to spend the night.