Hike to Little Hump Mountain

Just before reaching Yellow Gap, note a Forest Service Road to your left. This takes you to the "Barn", an old barn that has been converted into an Appalachian Trail shelter. Continue north on Overmountain Trail for another few hundred feet, and you will reach Yellow Gap and the junction with the AT.

You will note that the Overmountain Trail continues north into Tennessee. For this hike though, turn right (northbound) onto the Appalachian Trail. You'll be climbing for the next 1.7 miles or so as you head to Little Hump mountain.

The next place for amazing views is right after you turn onto the AT. After half a mile or so, you'll enter the woods. Your next place for wide open views comes as you pass an unlabeled trail that takes you out to Yellow Mountain, 1.3 miles from Yellow Gap. The AT forks left; the trail to Yellow Mountain forks right.

Directions for the Elk Park Hike:

From Interstate 26 in Johnson City exit US Highway 321 to Elizabethton. Follow 321 to 19E (in Elizabethton) and turn right. Take 19E southeast toward Elk Park, North Carolina. Shortly before entering Elk Park, you will see a gravel pullout on the right side of the road just before an overpass. The Appalachian Trail crosses the road here. Begin hiking on the southwest side of the road.

Tip:

You may want to consider obtaining permission to park in the driveway of a nearby residence, as car vandalism and theft can be problematic along Highway 19E. As such, the gravel pullout near the trail crossing may not be the safest place to park. In addition, I would warn against parking your car overnight at Carver's Gap.