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Summit

Shortoff Mountain

North Carolina

About

Shortoff Mountain is a summit in the Nantahala Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina, about 3.8 miles from the town of Highlands. Early fall is a comfortable time to go. The nearby Highlands weather station typically averages highs around 71°F in September and 63°F in October, with lows in the 40s and 50s. That station sits well below the summit, so temperatures up top run cooler. Yellow Mountain, a hike about 1.3 miles away, is the closest neighbor. The Catwalk climbing area is about 2.9 miles out, Ranger Falls Loop is about 3.3 miles away, and Van Hook Glade Campground offers camping roughly 4 miles from the mountain.

Summit Facts

Summit elevation

5,005 ft

Elevation from USGS 3D Elevation Program terrain data (about 10 m resolution).

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Location

Shortoff Mountain

North Carolina

Name and location: U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. View the GNIS record.

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: Apr–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 62–78°F and lows of 39–58°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Highlands, NC weather station, 3.7 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan42° high24° low
  2. Feb46° high26° low
  3. Mar54° high32° low
  4. Apr62° high39° low
  5. May69° high47° low
  6. Jun75° high54° low
  7. Jul78° high58° low
  8. Aug76° high57° low
  9. Sep71° high51° low
  10. Oct63° high41° low
  11. Nov53° high32° low
  12. Dec45° high27° low

The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Nearest town
Highlands, North Carolina · 3.8 mi

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS GNIS populated places

Conditions

Active alerts for Nantahala Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)