The Rough Creek-to-Appalachian Trail segment of the Sugarland Mountain Trail is its most rugged and most strenuous.
 Most of the remainder of the trail consists of sharp ascents over steep ledges alternating with smooth strolls over narrow backbones.
 Approximately one mile of the lower section of trail was burned during the catastrophic wildfirefire that occurred in the area in November 2016.
 This portion of the trail is now overgrown with tall weeds and brambles in summertime.
 At just over 8 miles (13 km), a break in the foliage allows for an unobstructed view of the Rough Creek Valley below and Sweet Ridge and Miry Ridge in the distance to the northwest and west.
 Mount Le Conte dominates the view through the treeline to the east.

Around 10 miles (16 km) from the trailhead, the Sugarland Mountain Trail passes just below the mountain's 5,494-foot (1,675 m) summit, which rises at the mountain's junction with Sweet Ridge.
 Beyond the summit, Mount Collins becomes visible through the treeline to the south, and Mount Mingus dominates the view to the east.
 After winding its way across Sugarland Mountain's upper elevations, the trail ascends sharply to the Mount Collins Shelter and the trail terminus along the Appalachian Trail.

West of the Sugarland Mountain Trail terminus, the Appalachian Trail continues to ascend sharply, crossing the 6,188-foot (1,886 m) summit of Mount Collins and continuing onward to Clingmans Dome.
 A small footpath east of the trail terminus leads to Clingmans Dome Road and the Fork Ridge Trail terminus on the other side of the road.
 Newfound Gap is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east of the trail terminus.

The Mount Collins Shelter is situated just off the Sugarland Mountain Trail approximately 0.3 miles (0.48 km) north of the trail's terminus at the Appalachian Trail.
 A spring— part of the headwaters of Moccasin Branch— provides the shelter's water source.
 The shelter— built of stone and enclosed by fencing at one end— is typical of Appalachian Trail shelters in the area.
The Rough Creek-to-Appalachian Trail segment of the Sugarland Mountain Trail is its most rugged and most strenuous.  Most of the remainder of the trail consists of sharp ascents over steep ledges alternating with smooth strolls over narrow backbones.  Approximately one mile of the lower section of trail was burned during the catastrophic wildfirefire that occurred in the area in November 2016.  This portion of the trail is now overgrown with tall weeds and brambles in summertime.  At just over 8 miles (13 km), a break in the foliage allows for an unobstructed view of the Rough Creek Valley below and Sweet Ridge and Miry Ridge in the distance to the northwest and west.  Mount Le Conte dominates the view through the treeline to the east.
Around 10 miles (16 km) from the trailhead, the Sugarland Mountain Trail passes just below the mountain's 5,494-foot (1,675 m) summit, which rises at the mountain's junction with Sweet Ridge.  Beyond the summit, Mount Collins becomes visible through the treeline to the south, and Mount Mingus dominates the view to the east.  After winding its way across Sugarland Mountain's upper elevations, the trail ascends sharply to the Mount Collins Shelter and the trail terminus along the Appalachian Trail.
West of the Sugarland Mountain Trail terminus, the Appalachian Trail continues to ascend sharply, crossing the 6,188-foot (1,886 m) summit of Mount Collins and continuing onward to Clingmans Dome.  A small footpath east of the trail terminus leads to Clingmans Dome Road and the Fork Ridge Trail terminus on the other side of the road.  Newfound Gap is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east of the trail terminus.
The Mount Collins Shelter is situated just off the Sugarland Mountain Trail approximately 0.3 miles (0.48 km) north of the trail's terminus at the Appalachian Trail.  A spring— part of the headwaters of Moccasin Branch— provides the shelter's water source.  The shelter— built of stone and enclosed by fencing at one end— is typical of Appalachian Trail shelters in the area.
Sugarland Mountain Trail