Located along the Appalachian Trail between Kuwohi and Newfound Gap, the mountain is a popular destination for thru-hikers.

A backcountry shelter and a major trail junction are located along the mountain's northeastern slope.

Two major watersheds—Little River and the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River—have their sources high on the mountain's northern slopes.

The latter drains the north-central section of the park, flowing through the Sugarlands en route to the French Broad River.

In 1931, Horace Kephart requested the mountain be named for him, but after protests from Tennesseans (who favored their statesman Robert Collins over the North Carolinian Kephart), he settled on the mountain that now bears his name several miles to the east.