Helton Trail and Elk Garden Trail Loop via Appalachian Trail

Parking lot at Elk Garden on Whitetop Rd. Cross over road to start uphill on the AT through to Deep Gap. At Deep Gap continue on the AT until you reach a junction with the Mt Rogers trail coming in from the left. Turn right to continue on the AT. When you have almost skirted around the mountain, there will be a clearing to the right. Turn right on the blue blazed trail by a step ladder. Continue straight across the plain following the blue blazes. This descends down towards a gate on what is a rough stony trail. Continue on the trail which is a horse trail (Elk Garden aka VA horse trail) until you reach a sign for Heron Creek trail. A sharp left turn downhill follows. The terrain is boggy in places with some blowdown and clearly rarely used. Continue until reaching a sign for Sugar Maple trail. Turn right here to continue along Heron Creek. Turning left would start a different loop. Continue on Heron Creek until the trail reaches Heron Creek Spur trail. This crosses over Heron Creek itself which is quite deep. Continue up the spur trail which is a steady climb and boggy in parts. Eventually the trail reaches a gate and soon after intersects with Elk Garden trail once more quite close to the end of the hike. Continue along Elk Garden until the loop is completed.